Atlas 2R wheelsets in Lionel sideframes

You going 2 rail, Mario?

Well? they look like the pointed axle variety. So they obviously won't work in the modern Lionel truck with spinning end caps.

Always a problem with doing the conversions is matching what you have with what's available right then. I gave up trying to memorize what fits. I get out the calipers and see what I need.

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

You going 2 rail, Mario?

I am... slowly but surely. 

Engineer-Joe posted:

Well? they look like the pointed axle variety. So they obviously won't work in the modern Lionel truck with spinning end caps.

Always a problem with doing the conversions is matching what you have with what's available right then. I gave up trying to memorize what fits. I get out the calipers and see what I need.

Yeah, I’ll see if they fit once I get my hands on them. I have the milk cars to do first. 

33"/145 Point  1/8" x 1.92" x .100" axle 8281-4 18281-4

36"/145 Point  1/8" x 1.92" x .100" axle 8282-4 18282-4

33"/172 Point  1/8" x 1.92" x .100" axle 8881-4 18881-4

36"/172 Point  1/8" x 1.92" x .100" axle 8882-4 18882-4

Your Atlas might be something like one of these from the NWSL catalog? for specs

I don't have listings to match the Lionel trucks though. I only buy the modern Lionel trucks with spinners.

You will have to try them.   I am going to guess that the Atlas wheelsets will be a little too long (axles).    There are newer Atlas that I have heard have narrower trucks and hence narrower axles.   I don't know much about them.

I have been successful putting Athearn wheelsets and Intermountain into Lionel trucks.    They fit a little loose, but I have had no derailment problems using them.   I have a huge box of them to use.   

The late Joe G. of OST magazine, along with Dick Bregler, published a how-to article in the magazine specifically for converting the Lionel milk cars. I believe they used NWSL wheelsets but the article names their source. It also talks about how to change the sideframe location relative to the truck bolster to give the proper ride height.

Once you have a truck apart you can measure Lionel axle length to see if the Atlas wheelsets will fit.

An online search will find the article for you.

PRR Man posted:

The late Joe G. of OST magazine, along with Dick Bregler, published a how-to article in the magazine specifically for converting the Lionel milk cars. I believe they used NWSL wheelsets but the article names their source. It also talks about how to change the sideframe location relative to the truck bolster to give the proper ride height.

Once you have a truck apart you can measure Lionel axle length to see if the Atlas wheelsets will fit.

An online search will find the article for you.

"....The 2 rail conversion of these trucks is a simple enough matter. I found Athearn 33" Delrin wheelsets with pointed axles to be the most economical choice unless one just has to hear the “wheel clicks” on rail joints, then I
would recommend NWSL wheelsets. …"

Mar/April 2003 issue #7 !!!

wow that's going back!

They pried out the bushings and put shims behind them to get the axles to work. I think I'd skip the plastic wheels and go to NWSL. For Mario, he already has some axles so maybe the trucks could work with those?

I have done many 2-Rail conversions on almost every kind of 3-Rail scale car made and never used Atlas wheelsets always Intermountain, doing some now.

But beware I'm an Aussie so I might be different, I bite if upset Ha, Ha. Roo.

Well, it looks like I’m going to have to invest in some Intermountain wheelsets. 

Oh, btw. I worked with BigBrotherLar on his milk car conversions, and using 3D printed shims, so ok have to see what he used. 

I have a Lionel Cylindrical Hopper that was 2-railed when I bought it. It had the old Lionel Roller Bearing trucks (non-rotating) with Weaver plastic wheels installed. I replaced them with Intermountains as I detest plastic wheels. By the way, Lionel is selling replacement scale wheels for the trucks used in the "LionScale" line.