What trucks would work the best to replace the cheapo plastic trucks on some weaver 50' flat cars I have? Im thinking die cast????
Part # would be great Thanks
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Lionel offers die cast trucks for seperate sale - they might work. Check their website, I'm sure they'll have a specific item number.
Atlas too sell metal trucks in pairs.
Weaver sells diecast trucks. I don't think they use the plastic ones anymore.
Try either Weaver #P718 die cast Bettendorf freight car trucks and couplers or Weaver #P723 die cast roller bearing freight car trucks and couplers. These P/N's are for the 3 rail versions, and Weaver shows a suggested retail of $18.25 per pair. Further info is on the Weaver Models website.
jackson
Chad: You need to contact Weaver for trucks for their cars. Weaver uses a body bolster as on scale, two rail cars, and some of the Lionel or MTH trucks won't work on those cars. Three rail trucks with couplers are retail priced at $16.95 per pair. If you have a Weaver dealer near you he can order the trucks and couplers, or Weaver can supply you direct, although you would have to pay shipping.
Paul Fischer
On the Weaver web page dated 3/5/13 the price is listed as $18.25 per pair. Paul, where did you get the retail price of $16.95?
jackson
Originally Posted by modeltrainsparts:
Try either Weaver #P718 die cast Bettendorf freight car trucks and couplers or Weaver #P723 die cast roller bearing freight car trucks and couplers. These P/N's are for the 3 rail versions, and Weaver shows a suggested retail of $18.25 per pair. Further info is on the Weaver Models website.
jackson
If you don't mind retaining the Weave plastic coupler piece, simply purchase the Weaver die-cast trucks, either the roller bearing or the plain bearing Bettendorf trucks. Although I use nothing but Kadee "scale sized" couplers, I have been using the Weaver die-cast Bettendorf trucks for MANY years. They will be a direct replacement for your old plastic trucks too.
If you are going to York, there are dealers in used parts where you can find some at good prices.
.....
Dennis
Jackson: You're right! I had an older price sheet in front of me. Sorry about that.
Paul fischer
I find the engineering plastic (Delrin) trucks from Weaver and Athearn to be the best rolling of any on the market. They allow much longer trains and track really well. Also the detail on them is very good.
Consider what adding 8-10 ozs of weight to each car will do to your train lengths. Also consider how higher friction metal on metal (axles and journals) will affect your train lengths.
If just want weight, add the weight and keep the free rolling trucks, in my opinion.
Originally Posted by prrjim:
I find the engineering plastic (Delrin) trucks from Weaver and Athearn to be the best rolling of any on the market.
Are you talking about the 2-Rail Scale "plastic" trucks? As far as I know, Athearn offers great 2-Rail trucks, but NO 3-Rail trucks. The Weaver 3-Rail trucks have "bad wheel sets" in them, and that is one reason Weaver dropped the plastic 3-Rail trucks.
What was so bad about the Weaver wheel sets?
I have both plastic and diecast Weaver trucks and the wheel sets all look the same to me.
Chester: Weaver diecast trucks are what you need. Nothing else will work right on your Weaver flatcar.
Originally Posted by Flash:
What was so bad about the Weaver wheel sets?
I have both plastic and diecast Weaver trucks and the wheel sets all look the same to me.
Try measuring the THICKNESS of the wheels in the plastic trucks, and compare that measurement to the wheel thickness in the die-cast trucks. The wheels are much thicker in the plastic trucks, and thus can short out on some older 3-Rail switches (like Gar Graves & Curtis).
Consider what adding 8-10 ozs of weight to each car will do to your train lengths. Also consider how higher friction metal on metal (axles and journals) will affect your train lengths.
With Todays Dual Motored Diesels, the power and torque is overkill. There would be no problems on the pulling end. It's his track structure that could limit train size
[i.e. using sharper curves] but adding the additional weight can prevent stringling..esp if the poster weights all his rollingstock to NMRA O scale gidelines!
ModelTrainStuff.com has both the P718 and P723 diecast trucks and couplers in stock at $15.59 a pair.
Neal Jeter
WOW Lot of different opinions. I think ill go with the weaver P723 eh !! Thanks guys
Weaver wheel sets can be a little sparky on GG switches - I know.
But, keep the plastic trucks (they're fine; just shoot them with a bit of spray
hardware store flat camo brown) and buy the newer die-cast couplers ONLY from
Weaver. Saves you money and you get better (not great) couplers.
Im going to be using Ross switches if that makes a differance
Originally Posted by D500:
Weaver wheel sets can be a little sparky on GG switches - I know.
But, keep the plastic trucks (they're fine; just shoot them with a bit of spray
hardware store flat camo brown) and buy the newer die-cast couplers ONLY from
Weaver. Saves you money and you get better (not great) couplers.
Originally Posted by chester7:
Im going to be using Ross switches if that makes a difference
It is still better to get rid of those plastic trucks, due to their bad wheel sets. I have not tried to simply replace the wheels in the plastic trucks, since the Weaver die-cast trucks are pretty reasonably priced. Purchasing Northwest Short Line "Hi-Rail" wheel sets for those plastic trucks would be cost prohibitive. Plus the die-cast are fully sprung too.
Ya thoes plastic trucks kinda suck IMO the wheel set can twist around it just dont seem right eh
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by chester7:
Im going to be using Ross switches if that makes a difference
It is still better to get rid of those plastic trucks, due to their bad wheel sets. I have not tried to simply replace the wheels in the plastic trucks, since the Weaver die-cast trucks are pretty reasonably priced. Purchasing Northwest Short Line "Hi-Rail" wheel sets for those plastic trucks would be cost prohibitive. Plus the die-cast are fully sprung too.
What I don't like are the trucks with plastic wheels. They are harder to clean without damaging them.
.....
Dennis
