Hey all -- I picked up a pair of Walthers NYC 50' Express box cars (932-24155) from an estate sale. I already own a few of these and saw that the original owner had replaced the trucks with sprung Bettendorfs. I assume this was for running characteristics on his railroad -- but would these cars have been re-trucked in real life?
Thanks
Aaron
I think what you have are the former Troop Sleepers converted to express box cars. As built they had Allied Full Cushion trucks that were eventually banned from interchange due to a reason that escapes me*. The ASF A-3 Ride Control truck was usually the replacement. IIRC the NYC had two lots, 2206 (9200-9399) and 2230 (9400-9499).
There were some that did retain the Allied truck though and they are an interesting option. Some in later years recieved a spiffy two-tone gray with white striping to match the passenger scheme. Some of the cars recieved outside-hung doors similar to what would be found on a box car while others had inside sliding doors more in line with what you'd find on a baggage car. I believe the original troop sleepers had two AB brake valves. The NYC rebuilds used AB-1-B which would change the brake to graduated release when the signal line was pressurized for use in passenger trains.
Athearn, Walthers and a few others offer the Allied trucks separetely so they should be available.
* Apparently there were defects (cracks in spring planks?) that were difficult to inspect and possibly resulted in derailments.
Good Luck, Ed
Ed, you are better than Google! Any idea what kind of truck the Allieds would have been replaced with?
AutonerdAny idea what kind of truck the Allieds would have been replaced with?
I updated my reply and added that information for you, Aaron I might be able to round up some more info once I remember which pile it is buried in!
Here's a look at an Allied truck under an Algoma Central former troop sleeper:
Algoma-Central_201_troop-sleeper by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Allied Full Cushion trucks were banned from interchange with other railroads due to cracking in the sideframes, which caused derailments. They lived on under non-interchange cars such as work equipment. "NYC Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment" shows three New York Central ex-troop sleepers converted to baggage-express cars on page 10, of the first volume. They are all riding what appear to be ASF A-3 Ride Control trucks similar to those found under common freight cars. They use a 33 inch wheel like a freight car, instead of the 36 inch wheel, which was more common. Kadee, Walthers, and possibly others off them in HO, but Kadee has the best detail. They can be had with the overly wide treaded code 110 wheel which is found under most model railroad equipment or, the much narrower code 088 wheels which are rapidly gaining acceptance and employment.
One of the cars pictured, NYC 9328 with outside hung sliding doors similar to a regular boxcar, was photographed still wearing the two-toned gray paint scheme, in Ft. Worth, Texas, on the Texas & Pacific RR in 1961. Like so many head-end cars, it is extremely dirt encrusted.
Well, what do you know! Looks like those cars had the correct freight trucks after all! Shame on me for doubting my fellow modeler. :) (Looking at the trucks, I think they could be ASFs, not Bettendorfs -- I just assumed, and we all know hwo that goes.)
I'll stick with those trucks, leave the old AFCs on the other cars I own, and make sure to use these two cars for my newer passenger trains.
Thank you all, as always -- this is such a brilliant forum.
PS, found some more interesting info from the NH archives -- scroll down to the second-to-last post: http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22665