I have an Atlas steel reefer that came with the old style trucks, both of which were broken upon purchase. I attempted to install the newer bettendorf trucks and the hole is smaller than the mounting point on the under frame.
I am assuming this is a common problem so someone must have come up with a solution. My initial thought is to enlarge the hole in the trucks.
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While my experience with Atlas cars is not very extensive I have found truck changes typically involve alteration of hole sizes in the replacement trucks. Also sometimes a little bit of shimming to correct the height if necessary. There isn't one perfect solution so just apply some thought to the process and you'll do fine.
Bob
First, I presume you are asking about the older Atlas freight cars from the mid-1970s. If so, I've used a couple of different solutions for mounting trucks from other manufacturers. The basic approach is to make a plug for the oversized holes in the frame. The holes have a step, or shoulder, so that the two prongs of the original pivot pin would snap over the shoulder to secure the truck. Other than machining a piece of brass rod to plug the hole in the frame, drilling a hole in the center of the plug, and tapping the hole for a 3-48 machine screw (which I've done), I think the easiest way to plug the hole is to use two sizes of common wood dowels. I think the sizes I used were 1/4" and 5/16". Measure the hole above and below the frame to make sure. Cut two pieces of the dowels the length of the two steps inside the hole. These will be short - less than 1/4" each. Using the hole a guide, glue the two pieces together inside the hole and set aside to dry. Using a file or sand paper, file the wood plug flush with the top and bottom of the frame. Find a wood screw that will fit through the bolster of your truck. Drill a pilot hole in the plug and attach the truck.
Doug
Matt, Atlas says the problem was caused when a new vendor painted the trucks. Their process caused an excessive buildup of paint on the walls of the hole in the crosspiece. A piece of sandpaper pulled back and forth ought to remove the paint. Or a rat file. John in Lansing, ILL
Thanks to everyone who responded.
Doug, the reefer is a modern model, but your information about the older truck pins is good to know if I purchase older Atlas cars in the future.
I photographed one of the broken truck bolsters and the gap between the new style atlas truck. This causes the body to sit too high.
Matt, I'm going to take a stab at this. Your car does seem like there is a lot of air between the chassis and the wheels. Is the coupler height way off ? I have some of the newer Atlas trucks. I run 3 rail. The coupler mechanism is new and the side frames are much thinner. Height and mounting they are the same as the older ones as far as I know.
The steel reefers from a few years ago had a problem with the truck mount crumbling. No replacements were available at the time. Tough to see in your picture. Could someone have swapped mounts to get the car back in service ?
I took a pic. Of a recent purchase. Just pulled it out of the box. It looks to me that the mount is closer to the chassis than yours.
I thought these truck problems were later than the 70s. I had some early hoppers from the new Atlas cars in the 90s. Trucks fell about. Has to do with the zinc decomp.
Dick
Dave_C posted:Matt, I'm going to take a stab at this. Your car does seem like there is a lot of air between the chassis and the wheels. Is the coupler height way off ? I have some of the newer Atlas trucks. I run 3 rail. The coupler mechanism is new and the side frames are much thinner. Height and mounting they are the same as the older ones as far as I know.
The steel reefers from a few years ago had a problem with the truck mount crumbling. No replacements were available at the time. Tough to see in your picture. Could someone have swapped mounts to get the car back in service ?
I took a pic. Of a recent purchase. Just pulled it out of the box. It looks to me that the mount is closer to the chassis than yours.
I think you guys nailed the problem regarding the crumbling zinc. The body bolsters are covered in micro cracks. I was hoping it was just a surface problem, but between that and the broken truck bolsters, this car must have been made during the zinc decomposition problem.
I just checked the Atlas website, and body bolsters for this model aren't listed. I could give the 3d part a try.
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