Don't forget on those old Atlas O/Roco cars, one can replace those trucks with Weaver Models die cast trucks and couplers. Petersen Supply still sells the plug for these cars.
I've always liked the Atlas/Roco trucks. I think they are much more prototypical looking than the current AtlasO and MTH trucks and I like them better than Athearn trucks because they have brake shoes. Brake shoes were also something new in 1972.
I use an 1/8" burr in my motor tool to open up the axle opening so I can use Northwest Shortline wheel sets with conical axle ends. Several friends and I went together and bought 1000 wheel sets when the bulk price was much lower.
The attached photo shoes a modified side frame and a truck with the NWSL wheel sets installed. Lately I have been using mostly Intermountain trucks with NWSL metal wheels. I still have quite a few Atlas/Roco trucks though. I was on a layout tour when the Atlas/Roco cars were new and noticed that the layout owner had replaced may pairs of Atlas/Roco trucks. I asked him what he did with the trucks and ended up buying several dozen pairs. I think I paid 50 cents a pair.
I would like to see a model of the American Steel Foundries A-3 truck. It had a big market share in my era. As far as I know it has never been modeled in O scale.
Larry Kline
Pittsburgh, PA
