I am in need of trucks for various models; mostly brass models: hoppers, boxcars and flats. I like Yoder and Protocraft trucks, but want to know if anyone has an opinion on quality and operation of Atlas and MTH 2R trucks.
Thanks!
Brad
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Brad,
I have Atlas, Yoder, PSC, etc. Give me Rich's trucks any day. If you can get them, Wasatch trucks for passenger service.
ChipR
Weaver trucks are very nice for $15 a pair , all metal equalizing , they roll smooth , springs not too stiff , and I have put softer ones in and they are really nice .
The best thing on Weavers the bolster is like the real thing , no mods . MTH and Atlas I doubt will go on brass cars.
I just ordered a few weavers to try; will be ordering some from Rich Yoder too.
Originally Posted by PRR Man:
I use a lot of Athearn trucks with IM wheelsets.
~95% of my freight cars are on Athearn archbars with IM wheelsets.....rest are scattered across all the other options, 
I use a lot of Athearn and Weaver. MTH and Atlas have much higher (non-NMRA recommended) truck bolsters. Hence they require major work on the car body to get it down to the appropriate height.
Athearn makes Bettendorf, Andrews, Archbar, and Roller bearing. They are all sprung and equalized. The trucks and wheels are Delrin, the axles steel. If you prefer steel wheels, IM makes one that just drops in.
I have found the Weaver plastic (Delrin) to be pretty much as good as the Athearn.
I personally like the delrin wheels better than steel or metal because they slide slightly on curves thus tracking better and offer less rolling resistance.
The steel axles with whatever type wheels in Delrin sideframes are the best rolling, in my opinion.
And yes be shocked, I put Athearn Delrin trucks on Brass cars!
As a 3RS modeler, I have modified all my Atlas turnouts to accept lots of 2-Rail scale freight cars. First choice, for VERY special cars/cabooses, is Rich Yoder trucks. My second choice is Athearn plain bearing Bettendorf or Andrews trucks, and third choice is San Juan truck kits.
For what it's worth, NOTHING rolls like the Athearn trucks!!!!
Intermountain plastic trucks with their metal wheelsets...realistic excellent performance.
I prefer Yoder's and he has most of them back in stock now. Another source not mentioned is Protocraft. They are available in both Standard 5.0 gauge and P48, but are not painted. For a brass model I'd use Rich Yoder or Protocraft.
