Converting Stewart C630 trucks to CN Dofasco type

[cmurray]

Help! I just got a pair of Stewart ALCo C630s and I want to convert them to CN units using Prototype Model Industries' Dofasco trucks with equally spaced axles. Originally I thought it would require moving the centre axle back a bit, but upon measuring the Dofasco sideframes, it appears the rear axle has to be moved forward a bit. Does anyone have any suggestions on how this can be accomplished?

[Anonymous]

Cmurray
What trucks were the sideframes designed to fit?
You may want to replace the whole truck assembly. I'm not that familiar with the Stewart C630 drive and don't know how to go about it without a little bit of research.

[cmurray]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ray Marinaccio

Cmurray
What trucks were the sideframes designed to fit?
You may want to replace the whole truck assembly. I'm not that familiar with the Stewart C630 drive and don't know how to go about it without a little bit of research.

These sideframes weren't designed to fit any particular truck. The instructions say that the Stewart trucks can be converted by moving the innermost axle to the correct spacing of 5' 7". I was just wondering if anyone had some insight on the best way to do that.

[Anonymous]

I was looking at the diagram on the Sewart web site.
[ http://www.stewarthobbies.com/C%20630%20iso.pdf ]
I can see that it's not a project to jump right into without a little advise from someone who has done it.
Hope someone can help. I'd like to know how it's done too.

[Anonymous]

Colin. The best advice i can give you is this...go to www.kasloshops.com. They offer resin kits for canadian prototypes...they currently do not offer any 6 motor MLW diesels...however. They will soon be offering a COMPLETE kit for the GE Dash8-40CM (which also rode on the Dofasco trucks). the kit will include metal frame fuel tank and dofasco trucks (actual power trucks...the kit is designed to just drop in your favrite motor) and all the parts (other than the shell which is resin) will be cast metal of good quality...i have several Kaslo kits and they compare in detail to that of P2K and Kato.

Anyhow...the man who owns Kaslo is John Gurdak...he is a great guy...email him and ask him if when the Dash8-40CM kits become available he would produce just the dofasco trucks for you...he is a great guy and has done things like that before for me.

Johnny Dash 9

[cmurray]

I guess I solved my own problem. I went ahead and drilled and chopped a new slot for the innermost axle to place it 5' 7" from the middle axle. To fit the axle in its new position required the removal of two gears and the subsequent loss of power to the third axle (which was indicated in the Prototype Models instructions.) I also had to chop off 2 of the 4 the pins that hold the gear box bottom on. To complete the job I'll have to devise a method to hold the bottom retainer in place and attach the new sideframes. Thanks to all those who offered suggestions.

[cmurray]

Final update: Not only was I able to reposition the third axle, but with some careful measuring I was able to relocate one of the gears and retain power to the axle. Two tricky problems that had to be overcome were how to attach the sideframes to the truck and how to handle electrical pickup. This was a pretty complicated conversion but if anyone is interested, email for more info.