I recently purchased three N-scale N5C's and noticed that two of them have trucks similar to a Bettendorf but seem taller and have just one big spring, where a Bettendorf would have two smaller springs. Are these a different version of the Bettendorf or a unique truck? I thought about replacing them, but I found a picture of an old N5C with these trucks. The article didn't explain anything about the trucks.
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The Pennsy used a lot of unique trucks. I don't know whether they designed them themselves, or had custom orders. The primary differences were in bearing size and bolsters.
They did use trucks that look like "bettendorf" but with a higher arch on both cars and cabins. On cabooses generally on most most roads truck springs were different than on freight cars. The large single spring is quite common on the more modern PRR cabins. Leaf springs were also used on PRR and others. The purpose was to provide a better ride.
The large single spring is quite common on the more modern PRR cabins.
This truck is also available from PSC. Kit form is a good bit cheaper, 
the truck you describe is correct for a N5c cabin.
as Jim mentioned, the PRR used a couple variations.
Thanks for the replies.
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