Easy way to align axles of 4 wheel wagons

I have recently received some second hand items of rolling stock. Among the items were two ALY 4 wheel louvered  vans. I love these vans and they were on most freight trains in the 1970's and early 80's, so I was eager to get these two wagons running.

The wheels that were installed were on the ALY's were 9.5 mm in diameter, way too small and made the wagon sit too low on the rails. So I have removed the old wheels and axle boxes in preparation to install correct scale wheels,13 mm wheels from North Yard..

My old method of setting up the wheels was using a small ruler as an alignment device. This was very fiddly and error prone.

This time I remember the wise words of my friend, Reg, "Use a jig Phil". So I set out to find a way to devise a jig that would keep the axles in alignment. It turned out to be a very simple task using some 1 mm thick Styrene sheet and two alligator clips, with the plastic covers removed.

Preparation Work:

1. Measure the back to back spacing of the wheel set, this was 14.4 mm on the Romford, Hornby and North Yard wheels
2. Cut strip of Styrene sheet, a fraction wider than the back to back spacing of the wheel set
3. On a flat surface sand the Styrene sheet down to be the exact fit to the back to back spacing of the wheel set
4. Test the fit, it should be a firm fit. Do not force fit anything or you may push the wheel set out of gauge
5. Trim the length down to be the wheel base of the wagon + approximately 25 mm.

        

Use:

1. Glue the both axle boxes on one side in place, at correct spacing for your model
   
2. Place the jig on the wheels, as in the photo.
   
3. Adjust  the wheels into the correct position into the axle boxes on the model.
   
4. Place the opposite axle box into position and check the clearance for the wheels and if any shims need to be placed under the axle boxes to stop diagonal see-saw effect
5. Glue the axle boxes into place
   
6. Once the glue is dry, gently remove the jig and check the alignment. The axle should be parallel.
   
7. Last check, make sure all 4 wheels sit on a flat surface, if not remove the highest axle box, install the jig again and re-glue the axle box with it shimmed to the correct height.

The model should have no trouble running down the track and running through points.

I have found this method to be simpler, less error prone and has halved the time that I need to set up the wheels on the 4 wheel wagons and has given me far a better result.

I hope this method is of help.