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 I think I got lucky and obtained some of the last Protocraft O scale 2 rail RB trucks. They look great. They roll great. I didn't have the cash to buy them all and fairly quickly to me, they were all gone. I was surprised to learn that any future ones would all be proto 48 versions. Maybe that's where the owner's interest is? or is there now more market demand for them?

 I was also in the market for 3 axle modern RB trucks for my flat cars and was surprised that there weren't any out there. I purchased a PSC kit of their HD trucks and installed bearings into those. I wish they were a more modern version though.

 So I'm left wondering if the main O 2rail market is still mainly into the older eras? It appears to me that at least some, if not most of the interest in modern has gone to proto 48 gauging by what's now available from manufacturers. I may have to find tender trucks that maybe I can get to look like what I'm after? It appears that I should have been into O scale back in the late 60's ad early 70's to match my wishes?

 I read it's a great time for O scale but honestly I run into roadblocks for modern stuff that leave me wondering now, if it has actually past.

Why is it so tough to get modern O scale 2 rail supplies and proper equipment? With PSC under new owners and several others near transition, maybe it will get better soon for us modern equipment seekers?

 

 

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Engineer-Joe posted:
mwb posted:
Engineer-Joe posted:
Why is it so tough to get modern O scale 2 rail supplies and proper equipment?

Maybe because the majority of O scale modelers (market place) are of an age where their interests pre-date "modern"?

Yes, and I think that is now changing.

It's always changing, but you're also waiting for 1-2 generations of modelers to die,   Might take another 20 years or in my case, 40 more years!

Last edited by mwb
Engineer-Joe posted:
Limey posted:

Roger Lewis imported them from Boo Rim for Protocraft some years back, why don't you ask him how many he would need for a re-order in 0 gauge, put me down for some if you go ahead, I have only a few pairs left.

The ASF ones also need to be done in O scale at some point. 

 

Good idea. I just sent him an email to ask about quantity.

250 pairs in an order!

ENGINEER-JOE:

I know what you mean as I'm modern too,can't help it just my age of interest. It does seem that the 60s&70s eras are well stocked on available freight cars, and if you're interested,GlacierPark Models were still selling double shelf couplers as well as the lower shelf coupler in the E style coupler as well as an interlocking H coupler for passenger cars,as of a couple months ago.

As Always,

Al Hummel

Alan Hummel posted:

ENGINEER-JOE:

I know what you mean as I'm modern too,can't help it just my age of interest. It does seem that the 60s&70s eras are well stocked on available freight cars, and if you're interested,GlacierPark Models were still selling double shelf couplers as well as the lower shelf coupler in the E style coupler as well as an interlocking H coupler for passenger cars,as of a couple months ago.

As Always,

Al Hummel

https://www.glacierparkmodels.com/Index.html

I don't see any parts listed. I will have to contact them.

ENGINEERE JOE: No Glacier doesn't advertise them,why I do't know,maybe partly because there was a problem with their machine to make the coupler draft boxes,then when that got fixed other problems arose that required a lot of extra time,so at last word they were selling the couplers for $8 a pair. Jimmy said he' was selling couplers with no draft boxes with no complaints. I've found that using Kadee #740 coupler boxes,or any box with the same dimensions will work.

bob2: Thank you for the kindness. Not only did this wish for modern couplers get filled,but also the wish for working ground throws from ALL ABOARD TRAINS. The NEW CENTURY ground throw is in the development stage now,that's the 1 I'm waiting on.

As Always,

Al Hummel

Dear Joe,et al,

My concern is the  future availability of obtaining 36" wheelsets as currently produced by NMSL soon to be out of business.

I enjoy O scale modern railroading as much as my postwar/early steam and have noticed a growth-albeit small- of 2 railers modeling in the late 60's to present  attending our Strasburg shows.

Our 3 newest members of the Cherry Valley have a strong interest in that late 60's to present era.

Thanks, John

Strasburg show 08/10 , 10-12/2019

Rick,

I been in OW5 for approximately 5 years now and am still a beginner in most areas,but I think that is what John is talking about in 36" wheels,but I could be wrong.

I've noticed a LOT of very nice Lionel covered hoppers I would like on my layout but have no idea how to convert the wheels or axles over to 2 rail and the same goes for converting to scale couplers. Anyone have any ideas short of using a chainsaw on the wheelsets and tapping and drilling carefully lined holes for coupler draft boxes?

As Always,

Al Hummel

Alan Hummel posted:

Rick,

I been in OW5 for approximately 5 years now and am still a beginner in most areas,but I think that is what John is talking about in 36" wheels,but I could be wrong.

I've noticed a LOT of very nice Lionel covered hoppers I would like on my layout but have no idea how to convert the wheels or axles over to 2 rail and the same goes for converting to scale couplers. Anyone have any ideas short of using a chainsaw on the wheelsets and tapping and drilling carefully lined holes for coupler draft boxes?

As Always,

Al Hummel

Here's a radical idea: Why not buy 2 rail equipment. If you are going to switch, then SWITCH. Check out Atlas 2 rail, look on the great auction (there's tons of 2 rail there), go to a 2 rail show like Indy and ask questions....bug Dan Dawdy! 

The boxes for couplers go on the bottom of the cars NOT the trucks.

Take note that 2 rail wheels are insulated. You cannot have a short across the the  rails in conventional DC 2 rail. If you are running RC Battery power, that is a horse of another color.

You really need to get some books on the fundamentals of the 2 rail hobby!

And forget about those stinkin' shelf couplers! 

Simon

PS: all of my freight cars  have 33" wheels.

What I have found out over the years is to never take YOUR HOBBY to seriously know your limitations.

I have never made any money out of my hobby it's just what it is a hobby and I use it to relax and to have fun I was fortunately once to be able to make serious money in other business's (not trains) I have always been a buyer, a hobby shop's dream customer, I still buy lots of items but not like I once did.

The point is throughout the years no matter what I was doing I always managed to have fun and actually build something one of the reasons why is I never took anything to seriously as I said above, know your limitations in both what you can build and what you can afford I am not wealthy by any means but I have a wife who between us raised four successful children while I  ran two business's, still built many layouts while all the time enjoying my trains at some level all on one single income my wife never worked in a job once we started to have children she worked harder than me at home. The average person (I'm one of them) should not aim too high unless he is prepared and confident he can go that far sometimes thinking small is not so bad at least you have more chance of realising your dreams. Roo. (Getting closer to running the layout again, Yippee!)

Alan Hummel posted:

Rick,

I been in OW5 for approximately 5 years now and am still a beginner in most areas,but I think that is what John is talking about in 36" wheels,but I could be wrong.

I've noticed a LOT of very nice Lionel covered hoppers I would like on my layout but have no idea how to convert the wheels or axles over to 2 rail and the same goes for converting to scale couplers. Anyone have any ideas short of using a chainsaw on the wheelsets and tapping and drilling carefully lined holes for coupler draft boxes?

As Always,

Al Hummel

Al,

In case it helps, here's my quick'n'dirty 2-rail fix for those nice Lionel 3R hoppers: Atlas 2R 100-ton roller bearing trucks fit right in using the Lionel bolster screw. Height is off by about 2mm, not enough to affect couplers. Kadee 8xx or 7xx series standard-shank couplers in Kadee boxes can be attached using one screw (add a dab of glue or silicone between the chassis and coupler box top plate if you feel you need it). You can drill and tap the existing hole 2-56, or you can just kludge a 1-72 in there with some superglue. Just don't tell anyone I told you that part!  

15 minutes' work tops per car.  

     

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Last edited by Pete M

If you really want to be a cheapskate converting three to two rail cars and run the cars all day long my conversions are just that Cheap and easy, nothing fancy but then my trains are just B grade actors they come cheap!

Here is a sample I could show you many more but I have a Railroad to get up and running.

The grey car is Lionel using the original trucks and the black car is a MTH using original trucks all with Intermountain wheels and Kadees they are work horses not show ponies.  40% of my cars are converted 3 rail and used every Friday with no problems. I admit they need weathering when i get a spare minute or two but operation comes first.  Roo.

 

 

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So are we saying that one cannot buy 36" wheelsets?  Have we checked, say, P&D?  NWSL may be still taking orders from existing stock; check there first.

And Simon - he got his shelf couplers, and is getting his turnout throws.  All boxes checked, he is now a happy doodle, remaining in O Scale.

Last edited by bob2
bob2 posted:

So are we saying that one cannot buy 36" wheelsets?  Have we checked, say, P&D?  NWSL may be still taking orders from existing stock; check there first.

And Simon - he got his shelf couplers, and is getting his turnout throws.  All boxes checked, he is now a happy doodle, remaining in O Scale.

I don't think anyone wrote that 36" wheel sets were unavailable. I mentioned that all my freight cars had 33" wheels. Both sizes (33 and 36) are readily available. What he really needs is a guide to the basics of O Scale. You seem to have all the answers.....why don't you suggest something. OST had a couple guides, (The Modern Guide to O Scale 1 & 2) but they will be hard to find. 

Simon

Last edited by Simon Winter

Sorry, Simon.  I guess I mis-read something.  Glad to hear that 36" wheelsets are in good supply.

Dear Joe,et al,

My concern is the future availability of obtaining 36" wheelsets as currently produced by NMSL soon to be out of business.

Not sure what kind of "answers" you want me to come up with.  Nothing posed above is beyond the average modeler, and I am not sure I can add anything to changing trucks or wheelsets on freight cars.  If you are seriously having problems in that area, pose your question and I will try to answer.

Nobody listens to me maybe because I'm an Aussie and am not supposed to know anything about American trains or maybe members think I'm not neat enough with my modifications or maybe I'm just an average Joe Blow who has no qualifications or money. But anyway I won't give up, here are some photos of my "system" you have to have some kind of system if your going to do lots of 3-2 rail conversions. I keep all my parts in separate boxes (not all shown)  so I can do a conversion reasonably quick this comes about after doing this over a period of many years. Those alloy plates are for Atlas SW's conversion to Kadees I screw the plate on using original screws then screw the coupler to the plate it's not rocket science (notice the drill and tap in the same box) the Kadees I assemble in bulk and use clothes pegs to keep them together till I want to use them again this is day one fitting and turning practice you could even make those plates out of styrene. othere people could have these made in bulk I could supply the drawing on a PDF file but I know a lot of members just use other methods. You can start on the kitchen table you don't need a fully equipped workshop it's basic stuff. Get a car convert the wheels when your happy with the way it sits on the track measure for the kadee and make a spacer.

Wheels.

This obsession about wheels amuses me. years ago my friend that helps me on the railroad scratch built some diesels he needed wheels he made some on his lathe but making one wheel at a time can send you to an early grave so he consulted an engineering firm and had some made maybe 200 it cost a lot but he did it he sold some off to help with his finances but he had them made and this is Australia you know that little island down south. So what is stopping some other engineering firm in America if you supplied a sample from doing the same thing? Are we all helpless nowadays where is the pioneer spirit gone!

I'm trying to be nice here and offer some help I don't want any  accolades just a thank you for trying to help would be enough. Roo.

 

 

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Last edited by Roo

ROO,

Well my friend,(you now know you've got 1 American friend),you've ALWAYS been a real inspiration to me!! I think your layout is a DREAM LAYOUT and wish I could come close to having 1 like it. As for your way of doing things,we're identical in thought. The simpler the better has always been my way of doing things,also.

Keep up the good work and please keep posting on  here as I get real enjoyment and inspiration from you! I know there are modelers on here that I "throw their switch" the wrong way whenever I post,but that's never my intent and it's who  I am.

Have a great day!

As Always,

Al Hummel

John,

Thank you for the pic's also. It looks like you use the same 2mm screws on your Protocraft couplers that I do.(?) I only use 1 as I've found they couple just fine. i don't have much rolling stock up as I'm still working on trackwork,plus am short on funding right now. I might add the other screwif,like you mentioned,I ever get around to it. I don't know how many times I've adjusted the main yard trackage only to find I think other additions or subtracttions might be more useful. I make those changes then find that doesn't work like I thought,only to change things back to the way they were before.Lol But that's what keeps things interesting,I suppose,but I would like to get things more stabilized in areas before I'm too old to see or lose my memory,whichever comes 1st.

Nice rolling stock gentlemen!

As Always,

Al Hummel

Alan Hummel posted:

Pete M and ROO:

Thank you both VERY MUCH for the help on the Lionel conversions- your explanations were simple enough that even "I" can grasp them. 

Thanks again!

Al Hummel

Thanks Al and Pete for your kind words.

John. The conversions you do are very nicely done.

We ran some Lionel "Metro" cars on the layout this week and they seem to be going fine our plans are to run them in three car sets the conversion to 2-Rail was a massive time consuming job something I would never recommend and impossible to describe I will take some photos though. This has been an exercise in time and money and patience, we are still wondering whether it was worth it!  I hope my layout little people appreciate their new commuter trains! 

My good friend and YVRR operator Bruce Temperly did most of the work without the Mill and lathe we could not have done it as the trucks using Intermountain wheels had to be made by hand the powered trucks are Stanton Drives from NWSL we still have to pull them apart for some passengers and driver maybe some weathering the second set is still to be finished then the next part is building the station platforms and trackwork (The easy part) .

Roo.

 

 

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Regarding 100 ton, and 70 ton roller bearing trucks for that matter,  keep an eye on Kadee.  Last November at Trainfest, the owner Sam, informed me that they are "real close"  to doing some o scale roller bearing trucks.   I made the suggestion to do both the 100, and 70 ton versions, and like their HO versions, they most likely will be the ASF style.   Hopefully he was not blowing smoke to make me feel good!

R Nelson posted:

Regarding 100 ton, and 70 ton roller bearing trucks for that matter,  keep an eye on Kadee.  Last November at Trainfest, the owner Sam, informed me that they are "real close"  to doing some o scale roller bearing trucks.   I made the suggestion to do both the 100, and 70 ton versions, and like their HO versions, they most likely will be the ASF style.   Hopefully he was not blowing smoke to make me feel good!

Sam is now the owner at Kadee? Years ago,yes MANY years now that I think about it,lol,Sam saw to it the projects were developed,but back then he had someone over him. GREAT fellow to talk to though,very kind and knowledgeable.

Aside from this,a few years back,before Glacier Park came out with O Scale shelf couplers,Sam said a plan was in place for shelf couplers but other things were ahead of them. So maybe the trucks are ahead of them.(?) I sure would like to see Kadee get more involved in O Scale as well as other manufacturers. G scale is moving ahead in sales,so,in my opinion,O scale SURELY  is in good shape yet,as far as numbers of modelers. I remember Walthers having some nice kits in waffleside boxcars in the '70s,I still have 1. And Intermountain was into O Scale-what happened? Just my opinion.

As Always,

Al Hummel

I prefer well detailed correct trucks with real bearings inside. That said, I bought some of KDs G scale RB trucks. Even without bearings they roll fantastic. So I would be open to try them in O scale.

 I know that many of my cars may not have the correct trucks in use. I have settled for whatever I could get my hands on. I just put more power in the consist to deal with the poor rolling trucks in use. Outside on my G scale, even that may not work. I break couplers, have them drop out, throw traction tires, etc. I have made it my mission to install bearings where possible. They make a huge difference in a big consist up my grades.

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