Large Scale Central

Nonesuch Car & Foundry Commonwealth Tender Trucks

Does anyone have any experience with their commonwealth tender trucks?

I have a set here that are giving me fits! The directions read like they are made to fit the stock wheels and axles but it just ain’t so!

After disassembling the original trucks and robbing the bushings I find that the sideframe spacing is too narrow for the axles from Aristos newer wheelsets or any set of Gary Raymond wheels I have. I then tried an older set of Aristo wheels, the type with the middle plastic spacer, and the brake shoes are placed too close and rub on the wheels.

It also appears the sideframes may be drilled just a bit off as the axles aren’t a perfect 90 degrees to the sideframes. Yes I did check the bushings and they are installed straight.

Andre’