Sliding tender wheelsets for curves.

[Modeltrainman]

I'm trying to rebuild my tender for Casey Jr from a few years back. I wamt to make both of the two axles slide for curves. How do I get the rail plate to stay in the 1x4 brick with channel?(Looking at the OE.)

[Murdoch17]

Are you asking for a three axle tender or two? I know how to make three axles with sliding middles axles based on a design @SavaTheAggie used on one of his diesels, (pretty sure he didn't invent it, but I don't remember who did) and I can send you some pictures if you want. However I'm not sure if that's what you are asking for @Modeltrainman? Can you please clarify as to what you mean, possibly with a picture?

Edited June 2 by Murdoch17

[Modeltrainman]

 

6 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

Are you asking for a three axle tender or two? I know how to make three axles with sliding middles axles based on a design @SavaTheAggie used on one of his diesels, (pretty sure he didn't invent it, but I don't remember who did) and I can send you some pictures if you want. However I'm not sure if that's what you are asking for @Modeltrainman? Can you please clarify as to what you mean, possibly with a picture?

Two. Let me find a picture. I don't know if you can see from this angle, exactly, but Casey Jr, as in the original Dumbo has a 4 wheel tender, and my tender is 10 studs long for Powered Up. The tender slows things down in the curves, I'd like to ease that, maybe by sliding thhe trucks, unless anyone has a better idea. 

[Murdoch17]

I don't think two axles can be made to pivot in the way you describe @Modeltrainman, but I could be wrong though - I'm not very knowledgeable about these things! Sorry I'm not more helpful...

[Modeltrainman]

9 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

I don't think two axles can be made to pivot in the way you describe @Modeltrainman, but I could be wrong though - I'm not very knowledgeable about these things! Sorry I'm not more helpful...

That's OK. Hmmm... Maybe turntables? I just need it to steer, rather than cause friction...

[Modeltrainman]

18 minutes ago, PossumPatrol said:

Denis Tomsen on Flickr has a cool solution for a long-wheelbase two-axle wagon. Here's a link to his album.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93468412@N08/albums/72157696383324632/

Thanks! That's

worth looking at.

[Stereo]

Not sure exactly which direction you need things, but this should fit fairly well into 6-wide builds and gives 1/2 stud sideways movement (or a bit more if you use just the jumper, no tile).  If the wheels need to be closer together then probably you can build it higher up.

[zephyr1934]

9 hours ago, Modeltrainman said:

Let me find a picture. I don't know if you can see from this angle, exactly, but Casey Jr, as in the original Dumbo has a 4 wheel tender, and my tender is 10 studs long for Powered Up. The tender slows things down in the curves, I'd like to ease that, maybe by sliding thhe trucks, unless anyone has a better idea

Do you have a side view of the tender? It isn't clear from the description whether you have a train motor under the tender or you are simply using the tender to hold the hub and the motor is in the locomotive. If you do not have a motor under the tender, why don't you simply use 2x two axle trucks that rotate on their centers? Wait a second, 4x train wheels should take at least 12 studs and your tender is only 10 long? So that's why you need sliders rather that rotators? Personally, I prefer to fake the axle in that type of situation, so I might have four train wheel holders but only two of them actually have train wheels in them.

[lego3057]

 

Download the construction manual from:

 

Buy open Freight Wagon small (8w) online | BlueBrixx

 

 

 

 

Edited June 3 by lego3057

[LL1982]

15 hours ago, Modeltrainman said:

Thanks! That's

worth looking at.

This one works fine, even with one fixed axle and one pivot. Do add the rubber band. I did not and when you back up the train it can derail especially over switches. 

[Modeltrainman]

11 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

Do you have a side view of the tender? It isn't clear from the description whether you have a train motor under the tender or you are simply using the tender to hold the hub and the motor is in the locomotive. If you do not have a motor under the tender, why don't you simply use 2x two axle trucks that rotate on their centers? Wait a second, 4x train wheels should take at least 12 studs and your tender is only 10 long? So that's why you need sliders rather that rotators? Personally, I prefer to fake the axle in that type of situation, so I might have four train wheel holders but only two of them actually have train wheels in them.

The tender holds the hub. I think I got the sliding working.

[JopieK]

We want pictures before we believe you ;) Great work @Modeltrainman.

[Modeltrainman]

@JopieKWith all due respect sir, my photo skills need work.  This render should explain my thinking. 

[JopieK]

Ah but this works also very well I would say!

[Modeltrainman]

On 6/6/2026 at 6:10 AM, JopieK said:

Ah but this works also very well I would say!

Thank you. In theory, as I haven't ran it, yet. I think the first wheel set should slide across the curve, followed by the second. Turntables tend to behave unpredictably.