Help adding power pickup to mint car

I would imagine just a set of caboose trucks would work, and probably wind up being cheaper.

Lehigh Valley Railroad posted:

I would imagine just a set of caboose trucks would work, and probably wind up being cheaper.

Hello guys and gals......

No, that WOULD work using caboose trucks with the pick ups already there.  That what I would do if that was my project.

Tiffany

Those trucks look like the old die cast trucks that here on MPC cars.  Any parts for them are probably not available any more,  you could use the trucks used on MPC cabooses that have a roller, only thing is the coupler is going to extend out further.

I have some of those trucks if interested, shoot me a email...

Marty

You might be able to use this on your trucks not sure but here is a picture. These suppose to snap in.

I Don't think there is any collector that will fit that truck.

David,

If you'd like to keep the original trucks, here's what you need to do. Please see the diagram at the following location:

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...7214-000Complete.pdf

You'll need the ground strap (600-9050-156) along the screw, and then the pick-up roller bracket (610-9050-155), roller pick-up assembly (600-9536-057) and the bushing that mounts the pick-up to the bracket (600-9536-054). FYI, the brackets are becoming difficult to find, but some parts dealers do have them.

Note that the trucks on your mint car (9950) are of a slightly later design (metal coupler armature) than the above bracket was made for (9550), but they should fit with little to no modification.

I hope this helps.

TRW

I'd just replace them with collector trucks.

Here is the parts breakdown from Lionel for the collector assembly for the 9550 truck. It is as posted above.

Larry

Larry, notice the unavailable tag on several of the items.

I forgot about the 9050-156 bracket. I have all the parts listed by Todd if interested. Drop a email if interested.

Thanks for all of the replies for help on this project. I was able to complete lighting the mint car and it turned out very well. The pictures show the progress as follows:
1. The LED strip. A section of 12 LED,s was cut off and wire leads  were soldered to the strip.
2. An AC to DC buck converter was installed at the end of the car.   One capacitor was moved from the top of the board to the bottom  in order to fit in the space.
3. The LED strip was installed between the top of the body and the  clear plastic insert.
4. The parts suggested by PAPERTRW and provided by CHUCK SARTOR.
5. Power pickup installed on the truck. A piece of black tape    was placed on the bottom of the frame just above the roller to help prevent any accidental shorting to the frame.
6. The gold insert was placed in the car and then installed on the frame.
7. The finished car, the gold sure shines. The strip was rated  for 12 VDC but was reduced to 9 VDC to reduce the brightness.   The power converter has enough capacity so the lights do not  flicker when going over the dead spot on a switch even with  a single roller pickup.

Great thread!  I'm going to try this on some of my Xmas rolling stock.

Chuck Sartor posted:

I forgot about the 9050-156 bracket. I have all the parts listed by Todd if interested. Drop a email if interested.

Hey Chuck, do you still happen to have some of these available?

Yes, sending email.

That Scrooge McDuck car is a valuable one!  I almost sold mine a few years back when I was seeing them go for $150-$200.   I should have moved it.

Adding lights makes a nice touch.  I'd just replace the trucks with pickups myself.

Jim

Jim Sandman posted:

That Scrooge McDuck car is a valuable one!  I almost sold mine a few years back when I was seeing them go for $150-$200.   I should have moved it.

Adding lights makes a nice touch.  I'd just replace the trucks with pickups myself.

 

Jim

I was following along and then the Collector in me gasped a little when I saw what car he did the work on!

-Dave

I want to add power to a boxcar. After reading this string I’m still a bit lost. I would like to replace the trucks with collector trucks, but.. I can’t figure out what to get. I want a good quality truck for a Lionel box car but can’t figure out;

What will fit

How to determine the quality

What information to provide to nail down what I need

Gunrunnerjohn and others suggest to do this but, my searches leave me a bit confused.

Advice, anyone?