2 rail to 3 rail

Converting rolling stock from 2-Rail scale wheels sets is relatively easy, and there have been quit a few discussion about how to convert which manufacturers cars. You might try the Advanced SEARCH feature.

Converting 2-Rail locomotives to 3-Rail is a COMPLETELY different story, and is generally not done very often, if at all, due to the complexity.

There is sooo much 3 rail stuff out there and so few 2 rail pieces why not just buy the 3 rail piece you want?  Why waste your time and effort to convert to 3 rail?  Go to ebay and you will probably find what you are looking for in 3 rail.  Just a thought.

Rick

I agree - 2rail won't cut it - leave it for the fanatics. Got too many trains already - don't really need more projects either!

There are times when I find a piece that is older and more difficult to find, such as Atlas' Sargento boxcar, only in 2 rail.  So I buy them and swap out the trucks and couplers.  The swap is easy.  That said, I always search for 3 rail first and wouldn't buy a 2 rail item that is readily available in 3 rail as you are only adding to the cost with having to swap out trucks.  Also, I don't sell or trade the 2 rail trucks and couplers on the off chance I tire of the item and want to sell it as it was manufactured.

Uh, for those who have looked at all that has/is not made in the repetitious three rail world, and then what has been made in O two rail, don't look at HO, for it might put you in tears.  The reason many (l) want to do this is the FEW models of a variety of prototypes available. Every now and then 3rd Rail does one, but not inexpensive, so the market can't absorb many.  Those are a crap shoot for all the many RR's that are favored.

Originally posted by Rick C:

There is sooo much 3 rail stuff out there and so few 2 rail pieces why not just buy the 3 rail piece you want?  Why waste your time and effort to convert to 3 rail?

I don't consider it a "waste of time" converting when I can't get the three rail item that I want. There are Lots of two rail items that have NOT been made in three rail.

Items such as the :

PRR G3 [kitbash Casey Jones]

PRR F3 [2-6-0 steamer]

PRR U25C

GP40-2

SD45-2

NAHX Pressure Differential hoppers

Berwick Bathtub Gons

Pullman Standard Wafflesided Hy-Cube

etc.

colorado hirailer posted:

Uh, for those who have looked at all that has/is not made in the repetitious three rail world, and then what has been made in O two rail, don't look at HO, for it might put you in tears.  The reason many (l) want to do this is the FEW models of a variety of prototypes available. Every now and then 3rd Rail does one, but not inexpensive, so the market can't absorb many.  Those are a crap shoot for all the many RR's that are favored.

Boy are you dead on with this!  I desperately want an Escanaba & Lake Superior boxcar and only one was ever made, by the NMRRC, several years back.  You can't find E&LS in O scale, but there are bunches in HO and N.  Eventually I'll have to make one, but my skills are going to have to increase for that!

Rolling stock is not hard 90% of the time......yet to tackle a locomotive but have a AHM 0-8-0 I am going to attempt. 

I convert box cars all the time....but do it the easy way just modifying chassis frame to accept 3R trucks and couplers.  AHM Rivirossi 2 rail reefer. 

On this loco project I swapped out the rear 2-rail truck and made a different model of C-liner and because I use Super O track I don't have a problem with the 2-rail wheels on the original front truck and added a roller to spread out the contact. The body work remains to be completed.

"I agree - 2rail won't cut it - leave it for the fanatics."

I'm not even sure what that means. Very strange statement.

Had the 2-rail world (whoever that is) stepped up to the plate in the 1980's when 3RO began to offer desirable, operable and "flexible" scale equipment, I wouldn't have that blasted middle rail in my track.

But - there was no compromising with many of them (2-railers), and you need a barn or a club to use the stuff I like as presented in 2-rail, so 3-rail it was.

3RO - not my first choice. But, really, the only one. 

For 2-rail rolling stock from Atlas-O and Weaver, the "buddy system" is the easiest and cheapest solution. You simply remove the trucks and couplers, put them in a USPS Priority Mail small box and send them to your 2-rail buddy. For $6.00 postage each of you has the right trucks/couplers.

For other situations where the car is uniquely 2-rail like Dave's above, some modification may be necessary. Atlas separate-sale trucks typically come with additional parts to adapt them to other brands.

Ever tried to find an O Scale fully detailed two or three dome tank car made by Lionel, MTH, or Weaver? - let's not consider 3RD Rail

Here is a 2 rail two dome tank car I converted to 3 rail using Atlas trucks / couplers. I have several other examples.

Thanks,

Richard