Knocking Down Cabeese Ride Height?

Mikado 4501OGR Forum Member

I have a couple of my favorite cabooses that need a bit of ride height lowering before I convert to Kadee - the NYC Pacemaker Steelsided Caboose by Lionel and the Conrail Extended Vision Caboose by MTH Premier.

I prefer keeping the former Lionel model over their newer model in that Vision Line boxcar pack because I think this one looks much better decorated (no yellow plastic safety chains). Fortunately, Lionel’s old school Standard O cabooses make it relatively easy to remove the old lobster claw coupler - just pry open the bottom metal plate from the trucks, remove the top C-clip, and the coupler slides off.

The MTH caboose, on the other hand, requires a large amount of cutting with the Dremol to remove the coupler. Ugh…

Anyways, I’d like to ask what’s the best way to lower the height of these?

I’m really starting to dislike freight cars that have big bowl shaped bolsters in the frame where the trucks screw on like on the MTH caboose.

Lionel’s a bit better in this particular regard, but I’d love to modify these really good looking leaf spring trucks to ride a bit lower.

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7/12/2211:14 AM

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Dave_COGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I’ve been tinkering with Lionel’s woodsided cabooses for years. Everyone I do seems to add a different twist. I’m working on one now that will probably be my final version. I’m not using the stock trucks. A while back I killed an afternoon trying to lower the Lionel truck for a brass caboose. I came up with this. The side frames were drilled and tapped for a 2mm screw. A piece of brass stock slips in place. When the time comes I’ll mock it up and see what needs changing. I may have to add a thicker piece of brass to the center for ride height. I don’t plan on running lights. I’m sure somehow a roller could be adapted.

My current project I use Atlas caboose trucks. Just the coupler is removed. I got some brass hardware at Ace that works well. The blind nut fits the factory hole and the Atlas coupler spring keeps it all from flopping around. I also picked up an extra thick washer that’s glued to the underside of the chassis, coupler mount was made from Aluminum.