KTM trailing trucks for NYC Niagara- help!

There is a good chance you can order from Lionel the trailing truck for their scale Niagara. You can change the wheels and probably make it work. The wings I don't know. Ebay is a good place to look. Brass O scale or KTM o scale. Parts show up occasionally.

Thanks- I will check out the Lionel site.  I bought it a year ago... found all the missing parts except the ones listed.  I’m going to run DCS proto 3 in it.  Already has a nice large  can motor installed with a flywheel..looking forward to finish it it.  After all my searching still nothing on eBay for it...

I have quite a few USH trailing trucks.  I may be able to help.  Should it have the spoked wheels?  Booster?

Jay

I ordered a set of the "elephant ears" from Lionel. I still need to make a way for those to mount to my 3rd Rail Niagara. They do look very nice.

I believe they are cast metal? I had also considered making them from brass sheet and soldering my own mounts on them. I will probably just make some kind of mount for the Lionel version when I get the time.

I once made elephant ear smoke deflectors from sheet brass for a modeler who needed them.  It was a bit time consuming but they turned out nicely.  I would try finding them first if I were you.

Joe

Thanks Jay, I'm not sure if they are spoked or not... I ordered a set that closely matched the Niagara from Precision Scale Company, yet the way they would mount to the frame of the loco doesn't quite look correct.  The ones I ordered were from an A class articulated...  PSC DID show the model number and pictures for the Niagara trucks, but apparently doesn't stock them nor produce them any longer.  Let me know what you have.  Not sure how to upload pictures, as I am new to the OGR forum, otherwise I would show you what I'm looking for.

Joe, thanks again for the information regarding the elephant ears.  I may just look into the Lionel offered ones.   I am eager to upgrade it to Proto 3 and add it on to my roster of DCS engines.  It has simply a straight DC can motor and that's it!  No lights, no nothing.... it runs SMOOTH and quiet and oh the detail!!!  The backhead alone is stunning.

Thank you all for your help in my pursuit!  

Rick,

When I get a chance, later today, I'll take a few photos.  I looked in the Spotter's guide and I'm pretty sure I have what you need.

Jay

My 3rd Rail Mohawk was missing the smoke deflectors. I used a set from its sister engine to make molds and cast them in resin. I considered fabricating them in brass but the rivet detail is very fine and on both sides pretty much ruling out embossing them. I also considered photo etching but thought I would try casting them first. I was surprised that I was able to cast them in virtually the same thickness and also they have some flexibility so stand up to normal handling without breaking.

The resin ones are on the left. The ones in photo have since been replaced with thinner ones.

Unfortunately the Mohawk versions differ enough from the ones the Niagara that I don't think they would be usable, otherwise i would make you a set.

If you know someone with a KTM model they could be used as a master. The process is non destructive though might require repainting. I used rattle can paint to repaint mine.

Pete

Rick,

I'm going to attach a close-up photo, from the Spotter's Guide, of the trailing truck you need.  I'm also going to attach a photo of a USH truck that is about the closest I have.  The biggest fault I can find is the lack of outside brake cylinder.  I suppose you could add one....your call.  Do you have the shouldered screw for mounting the truck?

 I would add to Norton's post to look at the rivet decals that can easily be applied, then painted or cleared over to protect them. Maybe easier than trying an embossing method if you chose plain brass sheets?

 I am impressed by his copies and how good they look. 

 I think the Niagara ones have a third hole down low for mounting? It's been a long time since I looked at it. I got the Lionel version and never drilled any holes in my Niagara for mounting them. I may just try a little hot melt or tape on them to see if I like them first. I forgot about them.

I looked at the Lionel truck last night. It looks like a good place to start and easy to detail.

The photo posted of the Niagara trailing truck is the truck from the S-1A #6000, not the S-1B #6001-25

Another thought would be to find one off of an old Williams brass Niagra.  Not sure on the mounting, but basket case Williams brass can be found used from time to time at very good prices.  The smoke deflectors might be usable as well, but I love some of the other ideas posted here on making your own.  Good luck!

Here is the trailing truck on a 3rd Rail Niagara. You could always ask Scott if he has any left. I am 0 for 6 looking for parts from 3rd Rail.

Pete

Rick,

Have you looked in the Precision Scale Company Steam Engine Parts Catalog? I don't know if they still have these specific items. but over the years they have produced lots of very nice parts for classic super-power steam locomotives. I would also call them, they have been very pleasant to deal with on the phone.

On the 6024 above - I have a bunch of Lobaugh sand castings that look like that minus the brake cylinder.  You are welcome to a pair for a "stopgap" temporary fix.  You get to assemble and find wheels.

Wow this forum and everyones' helpful ideas are amazing!  Sorry for the delay getting back with everyone- I was attending a weekly train lunch with a bunch of O scalers in cincinnati.  Bob- I have a set of the Lobaugh trucks already.  If I'm unsuccessful I will be using these with a bit of "creative engineering". 

Mike- I have been in touch with Precision Scale as well.  They were the ones that sold me the A-4 truck (closest cousin I could find).  I will keep after them.

Jay- I think those trucks you have would work great.  How could I possibly  acquire these from you?  I would like to give them a try!

And the elephant ears, wow!  Great job casting them!  Wish I could hire someone to do that for me... That's a realm I have yet to dive into.....

And yes I think I have the "shouldered screw" bought one from PSC... I "think" it will fit unless you have one with your other trucks....

Rick

Rick,

Shoot me an email with your address.  I'll reply.  I'm thinking I send them to you so you can see how they fit.  If they work out you can send me stipend (we'll discuss off line).  My email address is in my profile.

Jay

Here's what the Lionel Niagara smoke lifters look like

Very good jay,

My my email address is  rstoffregen21@gmail.com

thanks again!

rick

Hey there joe,

those smoke lifters look pretty good.  I’m guessing that the Lionel parts dept would sell them?

Yes, they did to me last year anyways.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...55-8273-459eba514c2a

6208069074	SMOKE DEFLECTOR / LEFT / NIAGARA	80	$12.50		<input class="qty" id="qty_17965" name="qty.17965" style="font-size: 10.66px; width: 50px;" type="text" value="1" /> <input class="addItem" id="add_17965" name="add.17965" style="font-size: 10.66px;" type="button" value="Add" />
6208069054	SMOKE DEFLECTOR / RIGHT / NIAGARA	81	$12.50		<input class="qty" id="qty_17960" name="qty.17960" style="font-size: 10.66px; width: 50px;" type="text" value="1" /> <input class="addItem" id="add_17960" name="add.17960" style="font-size: 10.66px;" type="button" value="Add" />

I have a Max Gray version of this loco that I replaced the motor with a Pittman motor. I had to replace the worm gear with a twice cut worm to get the speed back. Chan motors RPM are less than stock motor.

The items Joe posted are in stock at Lionel and available to anyone. Follow the link posted. It is easy to navigate.

Here is a picture of the Lionel Niagara on the left next to a 3rd Rail engine. The Die Cast smoke deflectors are obviously thicker but they are also easily obtainable.

The 3rd Rail engine has since been renumbered facilitated by number plates from Precision Scale. They offer a set from 6000-6010 for small money.

Pete

Wow looks great, thank you Pete.  I will be in touch with Lionel to order those deflectors.   I looked at their website earlier today, courtesy of a link provided on this forum, and found quite a few things that should be able to work on my KTM Niagara. 

Thanks for everyone’s hard work- and have a merry Christmas!

Not a Niagara fan, but both of those look really good!  We are lucky that such gorgeous models are readily available.

If it were me, I would make the lifters out of brass.  Which reminds me . . .

Nope.  All I have is a pair for a UP Northern.  Thought I had a pair of bare brass for the S2 Turbine.