I need info on how problamatic it is to convert 2 rail cars to 3 rail . I don't own any 2 rail so eyeballing them for possibilities is out . Is it basically a wheelset/coupler change ? Do 3 rail sets fit well ?
I know that Atlas O sells three rail and two rail wheelsets or conversion kits, but how easy or difficult to change over I don't know about.
Three rail cars have couplers attached to the wheelsets and two rail cars have couplers attached to the frame of the car. Two rail wheel sets are insulated so that they don't short out on two rail track, won't work with accessories that use an insulated rail to trigger their activity. Three rail wheels will short out on two rail track because of not being insulated.
Lee F.
Hi Ole Timer,
It will vary from car to car. Weaver 2 rail cars with the plastic trucks are simple, remove the 2 rail couplers (body mounted) remove the trucks snap a 3 rail coupler on to the truck and reattach the truck, the car is now ready to run on a 3 rail layout. The 2 rail axles are insulated, so the wheels will not conduct electricity between outside rails, so they wouldn't activate Track or crossing signals, but would otherwise be fine. Weaver also offers their 3 rail trucks seperately, as well as just the 3 rail coupler arms seperately. I have converted many Weaver covered hoppers this way it works great.
Other cars, and other manufacturers, will vary, but I have also upgraded many Lionel and other cars from the plastic trucks to Lionels die-cast 3 rail trucks for better performance, but that can start adding up pretty quickly cost wise.
Lionel die-cast trucks generally have the bolt pass down through the car's floor and thread into the truck. Weavers trucks generally pass up through the bottom of the truck and thread into a nub on the bottom of the car. Between these 2 types of trucks, You should be able to convert many types of 2 rail cars to 3 rail use.
Good luck, and now that I have helped you, don't you go bidding against me on those wonderful Weaver covered hoppers,
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
Doug ... I'll make sure I won't .... thanks millions for the help .... there's so darn many nice 2 rail cars out there ... seems alot more detail and top of the line variety . I'll shy away from the weavers though ... just for you buddy ....
Ole Timer,
I was just kidding about bidding against me, I have most of the ones that I need, er, uh, want. The PS-2, 2 bay Hoppers are really nice, and it doesn't get much easier to convert to 3 rail use, if the insulated wheels don't bother you, and just a little bit more if you get the 3 rail trucks, but either way is very easy to do, and you end up with a very nice car. If you find some Weavers that you like GO FOR IT, I am sure you will like them.
I have completed a Three Rail Lionel to Two rail conversion today. I used a MTH Wheelset with a few computer screws coming down from the top to bottom on the MTH wheelsets to make them work. The electrical pick ups will have to be rebuilt for lighting.
I have more to do such as questions related to screws made for trucks top mount for the rolling stock that don't have any. The Lionel Car had ridden on center posts that are like rivet to the truck with the wire providing a hold to keep everything together through the clips that hold on to them.
I hope that I don't have to do too many conversions from three rail to two. But this thread shows that there are possibilities both ways in O Scale now.
One other consideration is the wheel flange size on the 2r scale is smaller in comparison to the flanges on the 3rail wheels. Normally it won't make much of a difference unless you like to run long trains and have smaller radius curves.
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I have bought several sets of MTH trucks at a local large hobby shop for about $11.00 per set of 2 trucks. All metal and the coupler arms have a hinge so they swing side to side.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
Here is my three rail to two rail conversion that is nearing completion. There are some wiring issues, coupler box/load plate issues and truck mounting hardware (Requires loctite) etc to resolve. However here is a early picture to show progress.
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