This seems to be an inherent issue with the Weaver Allied style trucks. I have 5 of these cars and in three of them the side frames have broken off. It appears that Atlas has modified the cars to remove the Weaver style bolster in favor of the truck mounted bolster common to modern Atlas freight cars.
I see prototype photos online where in some cases the trucks were replaced with AAR style express trucks and even standard Bettendorf freight trucks.
So two questions:
- Can the Atlas truck side frames be used to repair the original Weaver design or even replace the Weaver trucks with modifications?
- Are Atlas Allied trucks even available as a repair part? I know getting Weaver parts is "unobtanium".
- When the Allied trucks were replaced with more conventional style trucks were these cars still used in express service?
That was three questions. As they say, "NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!"
I think the Weaver cars are great, just wish the trucks were a wee (a lot) more robust! I appreciate the input from all the troop car experts out there.