I recently picked up two golden gate depot cars that I’ hoping to convert from 2 to 3 rail. Has anyone else attempted this and have any suggestions on the process. Get new trucks modify the existing? I know it’s kind of out of place here but I’d like to use o gauge couplers. These cars will be a part of an existing train on my layout aNd I’m not ready to take the plunge on all the existing cars. Any help would be appreciated thanks!
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rattler21 posted:Jeremy, Are you talking about heavyweight passenger cars, streamlined cars or express cars? Center rail rollers? Are you going to use operating couplers or fixed couplers? Close coupled or factory distance between cars? What turnouts are on your layout? John in Lansing, ILL
Heavyweight passenger cars, Center rail pickups will be needed, I need them to work on a 072 minimum. I would prefer operating couplers.
Jeremy,
When you say operating couplers, do you mean Lionel-style couplers? If so, the high rail forum might be a better place to ask this.
I think all Kadees are operating couplers. Search the forum; there are several topics that discuss mounting them.
I have been looking at modifying some of my high rail GGD passenger cars to 3RS, and to me that means using body mounted Kadee couplers. Even with a long shaft, I'm not sure I will be able to get them to go around my O-96 curves. Maybe someone can chime in and let us know how tight a curve this type of mount can do. Mounting the kadee on the truck similar to high rail mounts would work, but may negate the look you are going for.
As far as the trucks, in addition to what John listed above, I have seen in the sell/trade forum ads to swap 2-rail trucks for 3-rail ones. With more folks going to 2-rail you might have some luck there.
Use Kadees, dont bother with the GGD 3R couplers they're more trouble than its worth.
Unless you have back to back S curves, the Heavyweights will go around 072s just fine with standard length Kadee 740/805s.
Go through an MTH parts kit and find the pickup roller that looks like it fits the best, then make a mount to connect it to the truck. Use plastic so its insulated from the truck frame. I've used MTH rollers for GGD lightweight cars by 3D printing an adapter, but the lightweight cars use different trucks with vertical plunger rollers. The HWs, as I recall, use pivoting rollers so you'd need to come up with something.
rattler21 posted:
K-Line trucks from their heavyweight passenger cars will work. Pickup rollers and operating couplers. Listed in the For Sale Forum. John in Lansing, ILL
Ok I will check these out. Thank you!
Boilermaker1 posted:Use Kadees, dont bother with the GGD 3R couplers they're more trouble than its worth.
Unless you have back to back S curves, the Heavyweights will go around 072s just fine with standard length Kadee 740/805s.
Go through an MTH parts kit and find the pickup roller that looks like it fits the best, then make a mount to connect it to the truck. Use plastic so its insulated from the truck frame. I've used MTH rollers for GGD lightweight cars by 3D printing an adapter, but the lightweight cars use different trucks with vertical plunger rollers. The HWs, as I recall, use pivoting rollers so you'd need to come up with something.
I have mostly all high rail type couplers. And to be honest they don’t bother me much. The real reason I was trying to avoid the scale coupler route is these two cars I’m wanting to convert are going into an existing passenger consist with all highrail couplers. They’ve all been heavily modified of course but I haven’t had much luck in the past mixing the two. I agree 100% with the look and functionality of scale couplers. I just was trying to make them all the same.
You will have to modify/fabricate a mount if you don't use GGD trucks which you won't be able to find anyway. I don't think you're going to find a direct replacement without some type of modification. Good luck
contact ggd directly,
in the past and I presume now they have adaptors for kadee couplers eliminating most problems.
good luck,
mikeg
All you have to do is put kadees on these 2 cars, then make a transition car with a lobster claw on one end and a kadee on the other.
We all had to do it at some point, then you see the light and ditch all the claws.
I have 2 ggd heavyweight passenger cars with 3 rail 6 wheel trucks since I am a 2 railer I would be willing to swap trucks with you email in profile
Marty Milner posted:I have 2 ggd heavyweight passenger cars with 3 rail 6 wheel trucks since I am a 2 railer I would be willing to swap trucks with you email in profile
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