New O scale Kadee trucks

[richard carr]

I just received an e mail from Kadee offering O scale trucks with p48 wheels

#759 O Scale 2 Rail A.S.F 100-ton Roller Bearing Metal Trucks with 36" Smooth Back Metal P48 Wheels

#759 O Scale 2 Rail A.S.F 100-ton Roller Bearing Metal Trucks with 36" Smooth Back Metal P48 Wheels O-Scale 100-Ton Freight Truck 1 Pair Mounts with a #4-56 x 3/8 screw. or optional #770 Bolstor Adapter Sold Seperatly Used from the modern die

www.kadee.com

 

[Jordan]

Old Thread, Long shot....
I don't suppose any of you in the UK have a set or two of the #753 trucks for sale at the moment?

They'll have to go on my March Meet Shopping List I expect.....

 

[richard carr]

Sorry Jordan

I only have the P48 trucks now.

I have plenty of spare atlas 2 rail trucks

Richard

 

[Jordan]

Sorry Jordan

I only have the P48 trucks now.

I have plenty of spare atlas 2 rail trucks

Richard

I'm sure I could relieve you of a few of those, Richard.
The Kadee trucks fit Weaver cars nicely though, which Atlas don't, of course. I just happen to have recently bought a couple of Weaver boxcars when I wasn't expecting to obtain any more....

 

[Osgood]

Can I jump in on the tail end here with a request for some advice on sourcing replacement American style trucks please?

I have an American O Scale TWH Bucyrus steam shovel with fairly poor quality trucks, and I'm wondering if there is anything suitable to upgrade them - or even if any UK diamond bogies might do the job?

What should I be looking for?
It may be that putting decent wheelsets in would improve the appearance sufficiently but maybe there are some hi fidelity trucks out there?
Are wheelsets with the distinctive inside curved ribs available?

A few pics of the original shovel trucks attached too showing some variety.

Thanks.

 

[Stephen]

Have a look at the Protocraft website:

Protocraft

www.protocraft.com

There could be some clues as to what trucks you possibly require.

American Scale Models also have high end trucks in stock too:

Search - Trucks o scale

americanscalemodels.com

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Osgood]

Thanks Stephen, I'll take a closer look at the Protocraft 1920's style arch bar truck (the shovels were similar era).
The the transom isn't quite right, but maybe no freight cars had such heavy bogies.

 

[Stephen]

Also have a look at what these guys offer:

Precision Scale Arch Bar Tender Trucks Brass (New) O Scale PN#9092 - All Nation Line

+$6.00 Shipping

allnationline.com

RY Models - New Truck

It looks like the Protocraft archbar tricks have sold out in O scale although are available in Proto 48 - not too sure how easy it would be to potentially swap wheelers around.

You could also have a look in the adverts of The O Scale Resource magazine:

November_December_2024_FULL

The O Scale Resource Magazine<br>November/December 2024<br>Volume 12 No. 2

magazine.oscaleresource.com

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Scale7JB]

Would these work as a cheap interlude?

LNER Standard Freight Wagon Bogies

JB.

 

[Osgood]

Thanks Jonathan - maybe not that particular pattern (although it is a great match for the Protocraft truck above) but it caused me to start researching, the LMS design looks a better match and there's a good drawing here:

The LMS Society - LMS Bogie Bolster Wagons

LMS Society: Fostering Interest in Research & Modelling of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway

www.lmssociety.co.uk

I'll do some measuring up and see what might work.
Cheers.

 

[Osgood]

It certainly looks as though the LMS diamond bogie is a copy of the classic American design (assuming the American one came first).

I have to admit, looking closer at the trucks on the model, they are not as bad as I had imagined and have some nice detailing.
Part of the issue is the thick layer of paint (like powder coating?) obscuring what is nice detail, but the main visual downer is the wheel profile.
The paint can be tidied to bring out better transom girder detail so I'm tempted to keep the truck frames - the wheels have got to go.

The model is the 95T version as supplied to the Panama Canal project (which used 77 x 70T and 95T machines).
45T and 65T models were also made.

From one source a 45T G.A. drawing scaled off gives truck centres at 58"with 33" dia wheels.

The 95T model at 1/48 scales off as 72" axle centres and wheel treads at 33" (well, nearest the flange ).

From another source a G.A.blueprint of an unspecified model has axle centres 66", wheel dia. 33" - this might be from the 65T model then.

So looks like I need 4 x axles with 33" wheels with that lovely ribbing - I can add the heavier inside bosses which I guess are not present on standard freight bogie wheels?
The axle bearings measure 2.97mm so maybe nominal 3mm - which is not the 1/8" (3.175mm) I was expecting from an American model?

 

[Stephen]

From what I’ve seen the only manufacturer of wheel sets suitable would be those that come with the Kadee Trucks. I could be wrong, but can’t find anything similar on the Protocraft website. Intermountain do make a decent 33” wheel, u it doesn’t have the detail you are looking for.

San Juan might make something, but their wheelsets are generally plastic from memory - wonder whether they could be made to fit the axles from the pizza cutter wheels supplied?

O Gauge Proto 48 Andrews Truck Kit

For over 25 years, model train enthusiasts have relied on San Juan Car Company for the highest-quality On3, On30, and O Scale model trains and accessories.

sanjuancarco.com

Cheers,

Stephen

 

[Jordan]

Intermountain do make a decent 33” wheel, u it doesn’t have the detail you are looking for.

Beat me to it, they'd be ideal but are 'modern', smooth-backed. Pity too as I have an un-opened, mint set going spare....

 

[Osgood]

Thanks - my knowledge of the U.S. market is zero so I appreciate the input.

 

[Dog Star]

Those wheels with ribbing, I think they are "Scheilren" pattern (other spellings might be more appropriate). The GWR bought a number of the wheels, presumably as an experiment, circa 1900 and at least one set can be seen fitted to a diagram AA3 break van in Crewe goods shed yard probably before 1914.

 

[Osgood]

I just read that ribbed back wheels were apparently not used in new builds in USA around 1958?
Found these:

#752 O Scale 2 Rail Arch Bar Metal Trucks with 33" Ribbed Back Metal Wheels

#752 O Scale 2 Rail Arch Bar Metal Trucks with 33" Ribbed Back Metal Wheels O-Scale 1 Pair Mounts with a #4-56 x 3/8 screw. or optional #770 Bolstor Adapter Sold Seperatly Introduced in the 1940’s - Used in interchange service through 1994.

www.kadee.com

 

[Osgood]

A reference to Kadee 33" sintered wheels right here.

7mm - US model dabblings

Jim, Eric's Railroad Car History Oh so it is :eek: I'm going to have to trawl through that tomorrow now LOL :thumbs:

www.westernthunder.co.uk

 

[Osgood]

I note Gaugemaster offer HO ribbed wheels from Kadee and other stock is available to order, so might call them to enquire if they can order in some O Scale sets.

 

[Osgood]

…except that Kadee supply wheel sets on their own only in HO.

….San Juan might make something, but their wheelsets are generally plastic from memory - wonder whether they could be made to fit the axles from the pizza cutter wheels supplied?

O Gauge Proto 48 Andrews Truck Kit

For over 25 years, model train enthusiasts have relied on San Juan Car Company for the highest-quality On3, On30, and O Scale model trains and accessories.

sanjuancarco.com

Cheers,

Stephen

Reckon this might be the best solution, and not expensive - much appreciated.
They would provide accurate wheels and axles, and plastic not an issue given the likely static use of the shovel.
Can adapt chain sprocket and truck frame bearing housings to suit the axle.

Any ideas on the best way to source a couple of truck kits?

Edit: And just found these with nicer wheels which I had missed on Kadee’s website

Kadee PROTO 48 scale #757 ~ Arch Bar Metal Trucks - 33" wheels - NEW P48 | eBay

• P48 33 in. Kadee Quality Products Co. Trucks are New-Sealed from Kadee ! These are Proto 48 specific. Newer Atlas. Older Atlas.

www.ebay.com

 

[Osgood]

Oh hang on - U.S. modelling novice trap averted (just).
Proto48 is 29.9mm gauge so axles unlikely to be suitable for 32 or 33, and I guess the truck frames might be closer together too?
So maybe using the San Juan wheel discs only is the way to go.