Model railroad enthusiasts often face a common annoyance with Athearn and Accurail flat cars: their tool box covers tend to come loose and fall off. This issue can be frustrating, whether during operation on the tracks or even while stored in their boxes. Fortunately, there are straightforward solutions to ensure these covers stay securely in place. This guide will walk you through simple fixes for both Athearn and Accurail models, keeping your rolling stock looking and performing its best.
For Athearn cars, the problem often lies in the design of their clip-on covers. These covers, while convenient, can sometimes ship with the open portion of the clips spread slightly too wide. This means they might seem to clip into place initially, but even minor vibrations or handling can cause them to detach easily. A practical solution to this is to gently adjust the clips themselves.
Using small, smooth-jawed pliers, you can carefully square up the sides of the clip-ons. The key is to recognize that the sides are often not at right angles to the cover right out of the box. By making this subtle adjustment, you ensure a tighter, more secure fit. When reinstalling the cover after adjustment, it’s important to push it straight down onto the coupler pocket. Avoid applying pressure to one side and then the other, as this can inadvertently re-spread the sides of the clips you just adjusted. Applying even pressure ensures the clips engage properly and the cover stays put, preventing those frustrating mid-run detachments.
Accurail cars, particularly earlier models, present a different challenge with their tool box covers. These typically feature a flat plastic cover with an integrated pin designed to fit into a hole on a nub within the coupler pocket. The issue here is often a poor fit from the start. The pin may not seat correctly, leading to a noticeable gap between the cover and the coupler pocket. Over time, and with repeated insertions and removals, the hole in the nub can become looser, exacerbating the problem and making it almost inevitable for the cover to fall off.
A more permanent fix for Accurail covers involves modifying the attachment method entirely. Start by cutting off the original mounting pin from the underside of the cover. Next, drill a small hole in the center of where the pin was located. Correspondingly, enlarge the existing hole in the nub of the coupler pocket using the same drill bit. This prepared hole can then be tapped to accept a 2-56 flathead screw. This converts the friction-fit pin system to a more reliable screw-down method.
To further refine this screw-based solution for Accurail covers, consider countersinking the screw head. Using a larger drill bit, slightly wider than the screw head’s diameter, create a countersunk recess on the top surface of the cover around the drilled hole. This allows the screw head to sit nearly flush with the cover surface, making it significantly less noticeable and improving the overall appearance while maintaining a secure hold.
By implementing these simple adjustments and modifications, you can effectively resolve the issue of loose tool box covers on both Athearn and Accurail flat cars. Whether it’s adjusting the clips on an Athearn model or employing a screw-based fix for an Accurail car, these techniques will enhance the reliability and visual appeal of your model railroad rolling stock, letting you focus on enjoying your layout without the distraction of constantly reattaching loose parts.
