P48 wheel sets for Atlas O Scale Passenger Cars

... Northwest Short Line...?

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

... Northwest Short Line...?

Mark in Oregon

Thanks

Protocraft would be the other logical choice.  Either way, you will need to compare axle lengths and end conditions between the Atlas OEM and any replacement set, plus wheel diameter.

Jim

Also, P48 trucks should be narrower than plain old 2 rail trucks.     So to be very accurate, you may have to cut down the bolsters and figure out a way to reassemble the trucks.     P48 is requires much more precision in all components of track and wheels.

LLKJR,

You didn't mention what cars you are converting, so I'm not sure what style trucks you are looking for. Often times it's easier to replace the trucks on conversion projects. You should look at the Protocraft website they do have different style trucks available.

If you decide to go the wheel set replacement route, NWSL has conversion wheels. The link below is meant to be a drop in replacement into Atlas trucks, but it does not say which trucks.

https://nwsl.com/collections/o...le-atlas-china-4-pkg

As others have mentioned earlier, you will need to measure the axel length of the existing Atlas wheelsets to know if any of the NWSL will work for your trucks. Most of the NWSL wheelsets are on shorter axels, that will require you to modify the truck to bring in the side frames or the wheels won't stay in the truck.

Last thought... Proto48 is about correcting the gauge of the rails and running with fine wheel widths and treads. There is nothing in the Proto48 standards about truck widths and there are absolutely no "requirements" beyond the gauge and wheel standards.

Just because some Proto48 modelers build finescale models, doesn't mean that every Proto48 modeler has to build to that level. And I would point out that there are a lot of O Scale modelers who build models to finescale levels also.  A Proto48 model does not have to be a finescale model and a finescale model does not have to be Proto48.

@George Losse posted:

LLKJR,

Just because some Proto48 modelers build finescale models, doesn't mean that every Proto48 modeler has to build to that level. And I would point out that there are a lot of O Scale modelers who build models to finescale levels also.  A Proto48 model does not have to be a finescale model and a finescale model does not have to be Proto48.

You know, I never thought of it that way before, but you're absolutely right! Very well said. 👍

Mark in Oregon

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and info.  Decided to order P48 trucks from Protocraft.  They are for an Atlas trainman 60’ Baggage car.  The Protocraft trucks are beautiful and the car body will take minor work to mount them properly.  

That is a correct statement about fine scale and P48.  I have just a few fine scale P48 pieces but most are close enough for government work.

The NWSL drop in wheel sets will solve my issues with other rolling stock.

Larry

I am not skilled enough, nor do I have the patience, for Proto-48.  While I agree 100% that one can put doorstops on Proto-48 wheels and tracks, just as I agree that one can go finescale on 3-rail track, both sort of strike me as incongruous.

The reason for Proto-48 is accuracy.  The reason for 3-rail is nostalgia.  A hobbyist needs no reason for his/her choice.  Opinion.

Hi Larry,

Protocraft is a good choice, there is also Right 'O' Way out there that you might want to check out. Or you could convert the trucks yourself and narrow them down. I have done a conversion of KTM commonwealth tender trucks using PSC side frames and reworking the original journal boxes and wheels. The reward of messing with the truck is that it will sit much more narrow under the model and that looks cool. I've cut the truck bolster in tree pieces and re-soldered all together. These are Protocraft wheelsets and I made bronze bearings to upgrade the KTM journals. Also added a spring suspension to the axles to make sure that every wheel has always contact to the rail. I think that's the biggest challenge with P:48, you got these tiny flanges and derailment is a natural thing when a wheel is in the air.

Kind regards

Sarah

@Sarah posted:

Hi Larry,

Protocraft is a good choice, there is also Right 'O' Way out there that you might want to check out. Or you could convert the trucks yourself and narrow them down. I have done a conversion of KTM commonwealth tender trucks using PSC side frames and reworking the original journal boxes and wheels. The reward of messing with the truck is that it will sit much more narrow under the model and that looks cool. I've cut the truck bolster in tree pieces and re-soldered all together. These are Protocraft wheelsets and I made bronze bearings to upgrade the KTM journals. Also added a spring suspension to the axles to make sure that every wheel has always contact to the rail. I think that's the biggest challenge with P:48, you got these tiny flanges and derailment is a natural thing when a wheel is in the air.

Kind regards

I remember seeing the commonwealth tender truck conversion and what a great job.  Time is limited for me so I have decided to “compromise” on some of the rolling stock getting drop in wheel sets, about 10 in all.  I’ll have about 5 or 6 that will have proto 48 trucks, and they do look great.

Larry