Converting 2 Rail to 3 Rail

Basil...... I would think you would have pretty good luck here trading trucks with someone, or finding the correct replacement. 2 screws swap out the trucks. I might have what you need.

Clem

Excellent! Thank you for the quick reply.  If I go through with it, I'll contact you first.  Today is decision day, so it won't be a long wait.

Yes, l do this all the time, including with a few brass cars. If only it was as easy with powered items, steamers, etc. I swap out the trucks, or some times just the wheelsets.  

Since it is a Atlas car it should be easy especially if you are keeping the 2 rail/KD couplers.  If you are keeping the "KD clone" couplers, all you will probably have to do is swap the 2 rail wheels for a set of Atlas 3 rail wheels.  If you want to change the couplers too, the easiest way would be to buy the appropriate Atlas 3 rail wheel/coupler truck assembly.  Taking off the Atlas couplers will likely be the hardest part.  You have to pry off the top of the Atlas coupler box to get to the screws.  Other than that, it is likely just taking of the 2 rail stuff and replacing with the 3 rail stuff.

I'm not into KDs yet.  I love their look, just haven't gotten to the point of a strong enough desire to switch out all my rolling stock.

you may find that simply swapping 3 rail wheelsets into the 2 rail truck will not provide enough height for the larger wheel flanges to clear the body. on many of the Atlas products, the truck bolster on 3 rail trucks is thicker than that of their 2 rail truck. it raises the car to clear those flanges.

keep in mind that not all Atlas cars are this way. but some are.

Basil posted:

Excellent! Thank you for the quick reply.  If I go through with it, I'll contact you first.  Today is decision day, so it won't be a long wait.

If Clem doesn't have a pair to match, I probably do. By the way, to remove the Atlas scale couplers, there's a tab at the back of the coupler box. Gently bend that back with pliers and pry the cover plate loose. That will reveal the coupler, centering spring, and the 2mm mounting screws. Bag those with the trucks and you're all set.

I've switched out quite a few Atlas O two rail for three rail trucks. The bolster screws should be the same for both trucks. Just make sure the coupler shank is the right length on the three rail truck you are using. If it is a standard boxcar, not a hi cube or auto parts boxcar, a regular Atlas O 100 ton roller bearing truck will do. You can always sell or trade the two rail trucks and scale couplers to a two railer modeler. 

Thank you all for the input!  I bought the car--a 53' Wisconsin & Southern Sargento Cheese boxcar.  I work a stone's throw from Sargento, so I'm pretty excited to add it to my Wis & So. roster. The car is Atlas 7526-4, for those of you curious enough to see what it looks like.  I see Sargento's trucks in the cheese paint scheme every day.  I want to use Atlas trucks for sure, that would make it the equivalent of 6526-4.

One last thing to check is for interference from body details like piping, hoses, stirrups, etc. with the swing of the trucks.  There is generally more truck swing in 3-rail trucks due to the tighter radii used in 3-rail versus 2-rail layouts.

Jan

Basil posted:

Thank you all for the input!  I bought the car--a 53' Wisconsin & Southern Sargento Cheese boxcar.  I work a stone's throw from Sargento, so I'm pretty excited to add it to my Wis & So. roster. The car is Atlas 7526-4, for those of you curious enough to see what it looks like.  I see Sargento's trucks in the cheese paint scheme every day.  I want to use Atlas trucks for sure, that would make it the equivalent of 6526-4.

Saw that car when offered. It's nice when you can get a car for industry you have some personal connection to. The 53-footers use 70-ton roller bearing trucks. The truck screws are the same in both the 2-rail and 3-rail Atlas offerings. As I recall, that particular car used standard-shank couplers so finding equivalent 3-rail trucks shouldn't be a problem.

Thank you, Matt!

Basil posted:

I'm not into KDs yet.  I love their look, just haven't gotten to the point of a strong enough desire to switch out all my rolling stock.

Maybe I could help persuade you. 

Those pics are gorgeous.  I love the realistic look.  Every time I'm photographing or video recording I can't help but think how awesome KDs world be.