Freight car trucks

[Anonymous]

Over the years the detail and prototypical accuracy of model railroad kits has improved substantially. There is one area where things seemed to be going the other direction. Central Valley used to produce both freight and passenger car trucks that make todays' offerings pale in comparison. Walthers also offered a line of all metal trucks that were the equal of the Central Valley offerings. Neither of these highly detailed lines of trucks is available today. During the transition at Walthers, they offered the old Train Miniature line with trucks that had the sideframes cast solid with the bolster, but they also included plastic trucks that were very much like their metal line. Only problem was they came in a little cello bag fully unassembled. Once assembled, they were exceptional trucks. All these old trucks were sprung and self equalizing, rolled reasonably well, and looked just marvelous. Most of the other trucks are just there, blobs holding the wheelsets so the car will roll. The one piece truck does not look like the prototype in my opiniion.

Why can we not have trucks done to the same level of detail as the newer freight car offerings? Why can we not have a fully working Simplex Hi-Speed truck? Why can we not have detailed offerings for the many trucks that were in use in the steam era? Many of these trucks carried over well into the last days of steam. After all, the trucks are part of the model and should reflect the same level of detail found in the higher end kits. There. I gave it my best shot. I look forward to the shots coming back at me.

I am aware that Kadee has a limited line of sprung and equalized trucks. Their line is very limited compared to the many truck types that were in use from the late 30's into the 60's.

Steam was, is, and forever will be KING!

Tom

[Anonymous]

I have to agree that it is hard to find decent metal replacement trucks for rolling stock.

I personally have been using the Kadee's with great success. I am not too picky on the absolute accuracy of a given truck on the frieght car it is under but I want the trucks to look fairly accuract and have a free working suspension to aid in keeping the cars on the track in case I have botched a track connection or something.

One thing I would love to see is accurate Locomotive trucks for diesels in metal instead of plastic. I have an old Athearn F7 frame that had metal trucks with Brass bushings in it that rolls like a dream but I havent gotten around to repowering it yet as I am looking for a good prototypical F7 Shell to put on it and a better drive system for it with Flywheels.

[jrbarney]

I agree with you, Tom. When I go to Timonium or other train shows, or see them offered at the "fallen flag" vendors, I will buy CV trucks if the price isn't too high. I even replace non-RP25 wheel sets in the older trucks - some of the used truck wheel sets have lots of wear. According to rumor, the dies are still sitting on a shelf because the owner got "flamed" by one of the magazines in an editorial without him being given an opportunity to respond. Oh, do I hope I find some more of those CV Fox Patents and arch bars !
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[orsonroy]

Actually, there are more HO scale freight trucks being offered NOW than in any other time in the history of our hobby.

Accurail makes three types, including the only 100% SCALE truck on the market (their Andrews truck)

Intermountain and Red Caboose make several of their own trucks.
Like Like Proto has five (?) different trucks.
Bethlehem Car Works has something like 30 truck styles (I just got swing motion caboose trucks from them; they're the only company besides brass to EVER make them!)
Bowser has over a dozen trucks, including several PRR-specific styles.
Ticky makes 6-8 different trucks.
Eastern Car Works makes well over a dozen truck styles.
Walthers still has 6-8 truck styles.

There a several more truck manufacturers out there. Basically, you can get ANY 1900-2000 freight car truck you need if you look for it. Al the manufacturers I've mentioned above have websites where you can see pics of the trucks. By and large, the new generation of injection-molded, one piece truck sideframes blows away anything from Central Valley (I have a few old CV trucks for comparison). Notice I didn't mention Kadee in the above list. I feel that their trucks are to be avoided for several reasons. I only use them on resin flatcars when I really need the extra weight (and I usually replace the wheelsets)

Look in last month's Craftsman. In that month's "Essential Freight Cars" there's a rundown of the best models of the most common freight car trucks in the steam era. There's not a single CV truck in the lot.

[Anonymous]

A visit to all the sites mentioned by orsonroy has not eased my desire to have many of the old line metal trucks available once again. I want absolutely true to prototype detailing, metal trucks and wheelsets and they need to be fully sprung. I will not ague that the newer plastic trucks are extremely free rolling and allow one to run very long trains. If that is your cup of tea, go for it. I own trucks from many of the manufacturers listed in the previous thread and not that happy with them. But that is what makes this hobby so interesting for so many. What turns me on may turn you off, but there is plenty of room for both of us. I am unconvinced that the newer freight car trucks are an improvement over the old metal stuff. And the variety of trucks I seek can be viewed by looking at an old Model Railroader Cyclopedia from around 1938 through 1944. Some of those old trucks were eliminated from mainline use in the 40' but the rest ran on until after the demise of steam. Most of those old trucks were available from various suppliers until the 60's or so. Most of those truck types are not available today. I simply state that I would like them back on the market.

Steam is the answer!

Tom

[nfmisso]

Tom;

Your best hope is ebay.

The other possibility is for you start manufacturing them yourself. The market does not seem to be there for what you desire..

Regarding accuracy, take a picture of any CV truck, blow it up to a reasonable size, and compare it to a picture of a real truck, now do the same thing with some of the trucks Ray listed. Those sprung trucks (metal or plastic) do not look so good, because the springs are way off.