EXPRESS REEFERS

Rattler;  The question is are any type of freight truck correct for the express reefers.   I have seen many photos of models with freight type trucks.  I have assumed they were wrong.  ARE THEY WRONG?

in what era is the train you're running express service?

I haven't looked at this in a while but it might have the answers:

http://mrr.trains.com/~/media/...freightcartrucks.pdf

or this:

http://mrhpub.com/2013-05-may/...H13-05-May2013-P.pdf

or Google Freight Car Trucks, there's a lot out there.

Rich Yoder makes some nice 2-rail trucks.  Myself, I'm looking for someone to offer a decent set of Dalman trucks.

Many express reefers were converted WWII Troop sleepers. They had Commonwealth trucks.

Frank,

The Sunset / Golden Gate express reefers are modeled after the Railway Express Agency 6100-6499 series of express reefers with welded sides. While in use as REA cars they never had any trucks other than the type that Sunset / GGD used on them. Precision Scale made trucks that were similar but not exactly the same for the REA later cars with riveted sides and a different roof configuration.

Scott no longer has any of these trucks in stock nor do I have any. The best I can suggest is you look for the Precision Scale trucks as they are a reasonably good substitute.

Bob

If the express reefers ran in passenger trains, they had to have "better" trucks.   At the minimum bigger bearings and probably better suspension setups.  

If they were solely in freight service, maybe later in their lives, then freight trucks would work.

My opinion is that they are more fun to model as part of passenger trains and hence require the express trucks.   

You might be able to use Atlas express trucks if they sell them separatley.    They are probably in the 20 something a pair.   Another source would be Precision scale.   They do a number of trucks in both plastic and brass.    The brass ones are probably 40ish and the plastic 20ish and these are both kits.

Finally you will eventually find some at O Scale train shows, it might take visiting 3-4 shows but parts often show  up on individuals tables.    You could use old Walthers versions or any of the old brands.    The bolsters would be at the right height from the rail.

Bob Delbridge posted:

I haven't looked at this in a while but it might have the answers:

http://mrr.trains.com/~/media/...freightcartrucks.pdf

or this:

http://mrhpub.com/2013-05-may/...H13-05-May2013-P.pdf

or Google Freight Car Trucks, there's a lot out there.

Rich Yoder makes some nice 2-rail trucks.  Myself, I'm looking for someone to offer a decent set of Dalman trucks.

Good information Bob, thanks for posting.

Note that if these cars were originally made for 2 rail, the body bolster will be thicker and trucks made by 2 rail mfg will be easier to use since they have a lower truck bolster and the two match to set the car at the proper scale height from the rails.    Using trucks made for/by 3 rail mfg usually require modifications to the car body to lower it to scale height.     Since Scale City is now making express truck they would be worth a look.

Precision Scale makes a Commonwealth BX truck, which is as close to correct for that model