Help with Athearn F7A Truck Frames

[CN_Pete]

I just recently completed 2 of my Athearn F7 A & B units. I completed the truck sideframes with all the brake gear and steps. Now that they are installed they hit the ladder on the cab. This makes it impossible to go around any bend. Am i missing something, or is there a trick. Has any one else had this problem? If so how do i fix it.

Thanks

 

[Glen Haasdyk]

This is comon on the Athearn f's. You basically have two choices.
1) you can cut or file the brake gear so that they can clear the sideframes
2) you can carefully file the backsides of the ladders.

Some people do a little of both so the brake gear isn't as badly disfigured.

 

[nachoman]

Curious...what radius are your curves? I remember having that poblem on 18" radius, but always assumed this would not be a problem on larger curves.

kevin

 

[CN_Pete]

Thanks, it seems that the steps are binding on the brake cylinder.

 

[CN_Pete]

I am using 18 inch radius.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

I have had the same problem, fixed it by sanding down the back side of the brake cylinder before installing it. The slight loss of depth on the detail doesn't show and operation is much better.