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Lionel AutoCarrier conversion to 2R and Kadee's

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I was able to convert my car to 2R and install Kadee 745's with no issues. In a nutshell here is what I did

 

  1. Remove the 5 screws which hold the main car body to the flat car, 2 on each end and one in the center of the car inside the secret compartment in the center sill
  2. Remove the 5 screws on each end which hold the swing coupler assembly, and pull the whole coupler assembly off the car.  I positioned the coupler in the center and gently rocked it back and forth until it came out easily
  3. With the main car body and the flat car seperated, I popped out the lionel insert for the truck screw
  4. I installed the plastic insert that comes with the Atlas 70ton trucks and attached the Atlas trucks to each end
  5. I laid the Kadee gearbox top cover on the bottom of the car , the lip flush with the end of the car, and marked the center hole.  Once both ends were marked, I drilled and tapped a hole for a 2-56 screw
  6. Assembled the Kadee gearbox and coupler and attached the couplers to each end
  7. Reassembled

 

Here are some photos of the conversion

 

WP_20130105_001

WP_20130105_002

WP_20130105_003

WP_20130105_004

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Images (6)
  • WP_20130105_001: Overall look of the conversion from the underside
  • WP_20130105_002: Overall look of the conversion from a different angle
  • WP_20130105_003: The secret center sill screw location, just pop the cap off being careful not to break either tab
  • WP_20130105_004: End of the completed conversion showing the coupler height
  • WP_20130105_005: End of the car shot showing the wire grabs
  • WP_20130105_006: Ride height comparison to a new Atlas 89' flat out of the box
Original Post

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P pitogoOGR Forum Member

Thanks Mike.  I haven't picked up any yet but this model looks very interesting.  While I love the idea of its full scale length, it seems to have less quality detail than previous Lionel standard O.  Looking at the underbelly it screams of railking scale? The entire bottom is one molded piece right?  the again it will be mostly hidden 98% of the time.  Yet it looks like the body panels are perforated with holes.  So had looks to have details where they need visible and compromises where they are not.  What is your thought on?

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Well The flatcar part of the car isn't anything to write home about and definitely could be considered a railking or trainman quality car. I would absolutely agree with your assessment in that most visable parts of the car are fairly well detailed and up to recent standards, while the non visable details are VERY basic or molded. 
 
While I wish the side grabs and stirups were wire, they aren't as bad IMO as the trainman 4750's, likewise the underbody details are extremely poor and molded.  One of the biggest misses IMO are the side panels, and yes they are see through, but plastic.  I would have preferred metal as nothing looks and feels like metal, well except metal.  This is a KEY feature of the car vs the articulated auto carriers that Atlas ran.  Granted, unless the right thinkness of metal was used they would have been far more delicate than using plastic as they did.
 
Originally Posted by pitogo:

Thanks Mike.  I haven't picked up any yet but this model looks very interesting.  While I love the idea of its full scale length, it seems to have less quality detail than previous Lionel standard O.  Looking at the underbelly it screams of railking scale? The entire bottom is one molded piece right?  the again it will be mostly hidden 98% of the time.  Yet it looks like the body panels are perforated with holes.  So had looks to have details where they need visible and compromises where they are not.  What is your thought on?

 

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
No, but I will take some tomorrow and post them.  Might be possible if you grind down the wheel guides on the Atlas deck?  Would definitely add some much needed weight to the car.  When you pick them up you think they should weigh a lot more...
 
Originally Posted by superpower:

Looking good Mike! Do you have any photos showing the main body of the car seperated from the flat car? I would love to attempt to mate the main body to an Atlas flat just for kicks. Thanks for posting your conversion.

 

Travis

 

SwaffordSwaffordOGR Forum Member

Good Day,

 

I’m doing a little experimenting tomorrow.

 

I purchased a piece of flat steel and piece aluminum tonight at Lowe’s. The pieces are ¼” thick, 1 ½” wide and 36” long. I think I can cut each of the pieces 19” long and will fit on the floor inside. I will weigh the steel and the aluminum each after the cut and  post the weights. I think the aluminum will be just the right weight.   

 

Regards,

Frank

 

R RICKCOGR Forum Member

It doesn't seem like the Kadees would have the same amount of swing that the Lionel couplers would have on that car.  Have you run these cars, or car, coupled to any other cars around any curves yet?  And, if you did, how did they (the Kadees) handle it?  What is the tightest curve diameter that you ran this car on (when coupled to another car) and how close to adjoining cars did it come?

 

Thanks, Rick

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Frank,
 
Sounds like a good approach to improving the weight of the car. I need to put it on a scale to weigh it so I can see exactly how far off the NMRA RP it really is? By my quick calculation the car should be close to 28 ounces.
 
 
Originally Posted by Swafford:

Good Day,

 

I’m doing a little experimenting tomorrow.

 

I purchased a piece of flat steel and piece aluminum tonight at Lowe’s. The pieces are ¼” thick, 1 ½” wide and 36” long. I think I can cut each of the pieces 19” long and will fit on the floor inside. I will weigh the steel and the aluminum each after the cut and  post the weights. I think the aluminum will be just the right weight.   

 

Regards,

Frank

 

 

S superpowerOGR Forum Member
Thanks Mike, that flat doesn't look to bad on the top.How many of them do you have to convert?
Originally Posted by Mike DeBerg:
Here are some photos of my CN autorack flat seperated from the rest of the body.
 
Originally Posted by superpower:

Looking good Mike! Do you have any photos showing the main body of the car seperated from the flat car? I would love to attempt to mate the main body to an Atlas flat just for kicks. Thanks for posting your conversion.

 

Travis

 

WP_20130107_001

WP_20130107_004

 

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Joe,
 
Have you ran these around the layout yet with any Atlas flats?  I'm not seeing much difference in wheelbase between the two cars out of the box, but I need to measure them to confirm.
 
I would agree they should behave similar when it comes to operation.
 
 
Originally Posted by Enginear-Joe:

 Ordered some of the new trucks. We'll see how long it takes. I don't know why I was considering a swinging coupler box. My Atlas 89' flats make it around OK. There are some tight spots where I'm pushing their limits. I ordered the new long shank couplers for them to help?

 

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Erik,
 
These are definitely nice, wish they were a little better, but definitely a step up from the MTH offerings. 
 
Certainly some weathering and tags would make these look better for those modeling more present day.
 
Make sure you post some photos of your work!!! Can't wait to see what you come up with?
 
Originally Posted by Erik C Lindgren:

Too bad they are so modern; these things look GREAT! I might pick one up and convert, dirty it up and graffiti it up.. make it nice and ugly for fun.. sell it. Good job Lionel! I hope they keep up this 1:48 thing.. NICE STUFF!

 

P pitogoOGR Forum Member

I saw these in the catalog but didn't think to pre-order, maybe I should have.  I'm going to springfield, MA show jan 26, maybe I'll see some there.  In the mean time here is the latest project on my work bench I am wrapping up–a conversion to 2 rail.  I haven't check it for scale dimensions yet but I'm sure Sophia will love it.

 

 

 

latest 2 rail conversion

Mike DeBergMike DeBergOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Yeah, and fairly simple. 

 

I wonder what year this photo was taken as you certainly could not do that in today's world with out expecting the cars to be damaged in transport.   Also, most trucks and SUV's seem to be in articulated bi-levels, not all but most.

 
Originally Posted by superpower:

Nice Pitogo, nothing like M&M power.

 

This would be  a nice conversion for a Lionel autorack.

 

1497[2]

 

N&W Class JN&W Class JOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by pitogo:

I saw these in the catalog but didn't think to pre-order, maybe I should have.  I'm going to springfield, MA show jan 26, maybe I'll see some there.  In the mean time here is the latest project on my work bench I am wrapping up–a conversion to 2 rail.  I haven't check it for scale dimensions yet but I'm sure Sophia will love it.

 

 

 

latest 2 rail conversion

Ok now that is too cute...get her started early.

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