I want to build an HO helium car by improving an old AHM "Helium Carrier" car. Does anyone make an extended frame roller bearing truck with outside clasp brakes as used on these cars? Or an extended frame roller bearing truck without the brakes?
Michael McMurtrey
Carrollton, TX
They used to be made by Model Die Casting and are no longer available as parts from Horizon/Athearn separately. What I did was pickup a couple of the 26' MDC ore cars cheap on E-Bay or a Flea Market and used the trucks out of those kits for my car.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Thanks for the suggestion. Nice looking car.
Wouldn't trucks for a helium car have to be very, very heavy? *rimshot*
Autonerd Wouldn't trucks for a helium car have to be very, very heavy? *rimshot*
You'd think it, wouldn't you? But in this case the helium was liquified and so weighed a lot more than in its gaseous state.
Yes they were, which is why I used the trucks I did per an article from Tony Thompson.
https://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2012/04/helium-cars-part-1.html
Note, at the time of the article the trucks were available from Athearn, they are no longer available as a separate part from Athearn.