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We also can do the following for cars:

1. Gauge and adjust all wheels per NMRA standards. We gauge spacing, width and flange depth to assure positive, and non-derailing cars. Any deviation in spacing is corrected and CA'd (super glued) to avoid future movement. Wheel width and depth is noted but not corrected unless requested. When requested we will also replace with metal wheels that give superior performance and keep the track cleaner. With metal wheels you can pull more cars with the same engine because there is less drag.
2. Gauge and adjust coupler height, spring tension, and trip pins for smooth coupling and uncoupling operation. Unreliable operation is noted and corrected if possible. Optional replacement of couplers is available. We have found that Kadee® couplers provide the best performance, least maintenance, best overall customer satisfaction and therefore use only Kadee® couplers unless otherwise requested.
3. Grease and lubricate wheels and couplers. Whenever we inspect or service a car we insure that it will receive a proper lubrication. This includes:

• Wheel journals.
• Truck mountings.
• Coupler springs and draft gear boxes.

Appropriate lubrication for these joints is always Kadee® Grease-em powdered graphite. This provides the best and longest lasting lubrication for these purposes.

The only exception is where there are electrical connections that depend on rubbing conductive surfaces. This includes wheel journals, wheel bearings, springs, wipers, and truck mountings to frames for either transponding decoders or special lights in caboose or passenger cars. This lubricant is both grease and conductive helper. It keeps the surfaces conducting, lubricated and clean.

Lubrications are of the highest quality that we can find. We constantly research the market for the best available and have years of exceptional customer satisfaction with the current lubricants.

1. Adjust trucks. Adjustments are made to keep the car from wobbling. We will adjust trucks to make sure that they track well and will tolerate, as much as possible, rough track. Notes will be made on any parts that cannot be adjusted. Optional replacement is available. Optional service is available for tight service. We can, and have adjusted many cars for tight turns. Typical service usually means cutting away a part of the underside of the car or draft-gear box to allow a greater degree of turn for the trucks. It may also mean changing the coupler draft-gear box to a smaller size (Kadee® 30 instead of 20 series).
2. Clean the wheels. Our last step to make sure that you will get a first class job, even if the car is brand new.
3. Weight. Even though there is an NMRA standard, many railroaders go lighter or heavier based on their layout or preferences. We will not adjust weight unless requested and then only to your standards. We will note the actual weight, NMRA weight and the difference for your review. Our preference after years of running and up and down 4% grades is 1oz. plus .3 oz per inch of car. This compares with NMRA 1 oz. plus .5oz per inch. This provides reasonable heft without a drag on uphill operations.

Suggestions are noted but never pushed. The customer is always right. We will never replace a part or do service except that noted above without the customer consent.

1. Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED's in passenger cars. We use only commercial grade (this is much better than you can buy at Radio Shack) white LED's. These are less bright than those we use in engines but still have a bluish cast. We can lessen the brightness even more with a resistor or we can replace with yellow LED's if you prefer. We have found exceptional customer satisfaction with the white LED's that we use. We will continue to look for slight yellow cast ultra white LED's when and if they become available. Today's manufactures of white LED's intentionally sell the "blue" version because most customers want it. LED's NEVER burn.
2. Additions of other lights like FRED’s. We can even put in a decoder in your rolling stock if you wish. We have available either LED's or incandescence in many different sizes and colors. Your wish is our challenge.
3. Decals. We will number or decal as appropriate. We always use the best decals available. We can make decals to order if necessary and can hand paint where decals cannot be made (white and yellow usually).
4. Painting. All attempts to paint will be done with a prototype picture as reference if possible to insure authenticity where appropriate

IMPORTANT NOTE: Decals or painting will be done with some prototypical reference where appropriate. The obvious exception is fantasy railroads. When numbers are applied we will research the rooster for the appropriate period and notify you of available numbers for you to choose from. Although we can put any number on rolling stock that you choose we get the best customer satisfaction when we use numbers that we have prototype pictures to paint and decal from and the numbers have not been already used in production runs by the manufacture. This requires an amount of research that can be expensive. Since our reputation is on the line we want to satisfy the most discriminating rail fan yet not alienate our loyal and appreciated customers. You may provide the information; roster, available numbers and prototype picture, if you wish to save yourself this additional charge. We can also do this research by itself if you just want to have it for your engine to detail or weather.

5. Sealing. Painting and decaling will be sealed with a flat lusterless lacquer overcoat. We use only the best, Model Master®, Lusterless (Flat).
6. Detailing. We can weather or detail to any specification. We can use plastic or brass parts that are commercially available. Again, we believe in prototypical appearance where possible. Without a photo, either yours, or ours we will do whatever you wish, you are the expert.
7. Assembly. While many models today are ready to run, several have tiny parts that are always time consuming, and for some challenging and even frustrating to attach. We specialize in the assembly of these models, again, to exact prototypical reference. We will even construct a track cleaner from an old boxcar if you wish. We enjoy the challenge.

Contact us at 919-562-4378 or e-mail:info@trainbuddy.com

(c) Copyright 2002-2008, K.A Parker & Associates, Inc.  All rights reserved

This page was last updated: 2008-07-26