A T-Gauge Public Service Message: Replacing Tension Springs

(Note: I will provide a post on the many projects underway at a later date).

You aren't a real "T-Gauger" until you've shot one (or several) of the tiny bogie tension springs into the cavernous void while trying to replace them.  Well, here's the technique I use to facilitate re-attaching them.

Of course re-attachment assumes you have either a.) gotten down on your hands and knees and searched the expanse for the little buggers, and by some miracle found it,  b.) gave up and then weeks later found it sitting among several paint jars along with dust, spilled ballast rocks, and dead flies, or c.) broke down and bought the replacements, which are packaged in excruciatingly small quantities-- giving rise to further anxiety over then losing these and having to order more.

Step 1:  Locate the spring (see above)

Step 2:  Thread a bit of wire--a pliable strand from some typical wire is good--through the coils of the spring, not through the round ends.

Step 3:  Create a loop with the wire, and add a bit of tape so you can see it and add some weight.  It's also useful to help hold it.

Step 4:  Install the spring on the chassis, securing both ends.  To do this, you'll want some tweezers to aid the process.  Don't panic--you won't be able to shoot the spring across the room anymore or if you do, you'll be able to see it.  The wire loop stays inside the spring.

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Step 5:  Cut the wire with some snips and remove.

And there ya go.