Atlas-O Truck Question

Volphin:

Andrews vs Bettendorf style truck?

Thanks Sidewinder, but I'm not very well versed in truck styles... what is the difference between an Andrews and a Bettendorf?  They look almost identical to me?!

Does one have 3 springs and one have 2 or something?

Thanks for the help!  

I'd be lying to ya if I told you I knew for sure . It certainly looks like there are small differences. I wonder if either of the trucks were more common with specific car types or time periods?

Aren't you trying to repair an Atlas car? If so, which one?

Close... a CMX Track cleaning car.  Bought it from a member and UPS had a field day with it.  Not his fault by any means... he had it packed well but it took some serious coupler damage en route as the car is so heavy.  (Thanks UPS Gorillas!) One even snapped off.  !!!  LOL

It's all good, I just need to find the proper trucks for her.

Did you know you can tow it with a shoestring?  Yepper!

Might be a long shot, but call/email Beth Marshall at Public Delivery Track. She will know which truck you need...and may have what you are looking for.

One spotting difference between the Andrews and the Bettendorf is that on the Andrews truck the journal boxes are bolted to the frame and there is a distinctive steel strap

between the bottom of the journal box and the side of the cast frame where the springs sit. 

Doesn't the CMX ca use weaver trucks?

Nope.  Atlas.

Volpine,

    Make sure you get the exact right trucks for your rolling stock, one of my Atlas WAG

Master Series Box Cars came in from JD's with the 2 rail couplers on it.  I figured I would just put some Atlas couplers from my Angle train rolling stock on it until JD forwarded me the 3 Rail trucks, the Atlas Angle Train trucks were completely different, looks like Atlas makes a lot of different kinds of trucks for different individual Atlas rolling stock.   

PCRR/Dave

Thanks Dave.  I'll clarify the exact one with CMX.  

Prototype photos are available on the Internet. As is everything.

The side frames on these two truck designs/brands are similar, but not the same. There

are internal design differences, to be sure - but we can't see those. 

Modeling requires observation.

I've been scale modeling for about 30 years, so I would tend to agree.  

I am just about 3 years into the RR modeling.  Checked the available resources online and reviewed them.  The problem is, when you shrink them to 1/48, the castings look VERY similar.  That's why I asked if I was missing something.  

roller bearing  verses friction bearing with the box.  Seems your track cleaner had friction bearing trucks(Bettendorf) If you get them from Atlas (it shows $25) both types will probably fit. . They have articulated couplers and sit fairly low.