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Do you replace the trucks on your cars

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  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Sunday, May 14, 2017 7:55 PM

I was using KD to replace plastic wheels, but changed to Intermountain (same as Reboxx, I think) after reading many discussions.

For all resin freightcar kits, and to replace all OEM trucks I didn't like, I use Tahoe trucks.  They have maybe the best variety of correct choices for 1900-1960, and are sized for Intermountain wheel axles.   Don't often seem to need the truck tuner (and never oil) for free-spinning.

Don't care for metal axles in metal trucks, like Walthers uses for passenger cars; seem to be difficult sometimes to get to run really free, and maybe squeak unless oiled.  I replaced Walthers six-wheel trucks with Branchline with way better results and no need for oil. 

Hal

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 14, 2017 8:39 PM

I replace all sprung trucks (with actual springs) with non-sprung trucks.   I am working on a model of a Boston and Maine commuter coach using a Branchline coach as a starting point, for this I need different trucks (replacing Branchline with Walthers Pullman standard 8' truck).  There is an American Model Builders bolster modification kit that allows you to do this.

My PWRS covered hoppers came with code 88 wheel sets, no issues running over NMRA compliant track.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, May 15, 2017 7:13 AM

BMMECNYC

I replace all sprung trucks (with actual springs) with non-sprung trucks.   I am working on a model of a Boston and Maine commuter coach using a Branchline coach as a starting point, for this I need different trucks (replacing Branchline with Walthers Pullman standard 8' truck).  There is an American Model Builders bolster modification kit that allows you to do this.

My PWRS covered hoppers came with code 88 wheel sets, no issues running over NMRA compliant track.

 

You can send me your sprung trucks...........

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 5:01 AM

I replace all rigid trucks with sprung ones, mainly Kadees. In my experience they provide better tracking.

When I start building my last layout, I'll be experimenting with narrower wheelsets, which should roll through my Fasttracks turnouts just fine.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Posted by joe323 on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 6:19 AM

I don't go looking for problem.  As long as the factory trucks work they will stay.  Now wheelsets and couplers get changed to metal wheels and usually Kadee 148 Coupler.

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Nashville, TN area
  • 713 posts
Posted by hardcoalcase on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 6:30 PM

I model the pre-USRA period, so Roundhouse Old Timer freight cars make up a large portion of my rolling stock.  These typically come with plastic arch bar trucks and wheels, and I always replace the plastic wheels with metal, usually Kadee code 110. 

As the Pre-USRA period was a time when there were many types of trucks available, usually variations of archbar and fox trucks; for variety, on a few cars, I'll swap out the Roundhouse trucks with other versions sold by Bethlehem Car Works.

Jim 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 17 posts
Posted by pennwest on Thursday, May 18, 2017 11:54 PM

The Penn Western is a modern era, freight only layout. I change almost all freight car trucks to my standard - Athearn Genesis 70 and 100 ton with 0.088" wheelsets and rotating bearings. Biggest problem is non-standard bolsters. Height is off, bolster pin is too large, or bolster surface is a proprietary shape. Takes a while to do. Chinese engineering? May change the end trucks on a double stack articulated car, but not the intermediate 38" trucks. The narrow wheelsets work just fine on both handlaid and Shinohara code 70 track.

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Monday, May 22, 2017 5:55 AM

Only if the wheels are bad, out of gauge, or stiff.

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