Part Number for Postwar 6517 Caboose

Hope this helps you, I'm sure the train tender has the part good luck,

@texgeekboy posted:

I need to replace the front truck on my venerable 6517 caboose.  It has a roller pickup assembly.  The parts book I have is amazingly too old and doesn't have that unit.  I think the part number is 521-1, articulated light coupler truck complete.  Is that correct?

Thanks!  I had already sent something to train tender so I should get something back tomorrow.

That's a 6417 pictured, No common parts, except maybe the light socket and bulb.

I still appreciate the effort, and the suggestion to contact train tender.

Tomorrow I'll look at my book to see if there's another car with a similar truck.  Besides the coupler being shot, I've had to jury rig the roller to keep in contact with the center rail.  This is one of my original pieces from back in the 50s, so I want to do what I can to get another 65 years out of it.  I'll make a post then to let y'all know if it made it

I got a reply from the train tender (yay!).  He said he doesn't have that exact truck in stock, but what he has is one from the "modern era ... that looks the same ... but has fast angle wheels".  I have no idea what that is.  Can someone explain the difference between postwar wheels and modern fast angle wheels?  His price is nice, so if it will work I will buy it.

My google search expertise is failing me lately.  The parts list is here.  The part number is cs-6200487010-p, and they have it, so I'm done.

I'd still like to know what 'fast angle wheels' are though.

Fast angle wheels came with the new Lionel (MPC)...in the old days the car wheels turned freely an the axle,they required lubrication,the fast angle wheel is fixed to the axle, the outside diameter of the wheel is less then the flange side diameter...on a curve the one side will ride up on the rail allowing it to turn with less effort...the axles are needle point in low friction plastic..so to answer your question....the new truck should work fine.....cheers....joe

@texgeekboy posted:

I still appreciate the effort, and the suggestion to contact train tender.

Tomorrow I'll look at my book to see if there's another car with a similar truck.  Besides the coupler being shot, I've had to jury rig the roller to keep in contact with the center rail.  This is one of my original pieces from back in the 50s, so I want to do what I can to get another 65 years out of it.  I'll make a post then to let y'all know if it made it

Sorry about wrong picture must be the eyes, Jeff will get you on the right track! HAGD

487-1 coupler truck

488-1 coupler truck with roller

Why not just repair the truck?  Couplers can be fixed.  Same for the light collector.  You can normally buy new rollers. I just repaired a set of trucks on a postwar dump car. Both couplers were frozen and the wires broken off the slide shoes.  I re-adjusted the pins to activate the couplers, put new springs in the knuckle so it pops open and soldered in new wires.  That was way cheaper than buying 2 trucks.  Take a picture of the truck and post it here.

While the new truck from train tender will work, it will look funny with one truck have fast angle wheels and the rear having postwar wheels.  Fast angle wheels are wheels that are cut angled.  Postwar wheels are cut square.

@Joe Fermani,

Thanks for the encouragement.  I have installed collectors/rollers on other trucks quite successfully, but the repair of the coupler is something I didn't want to attempt.  I have 'banana fingers', so manipulation of small things is very difficult, plus I probably don't have all the tools that are needed.  I bought a full replacement truck from Lionel and am anxiously awaiting it.  I plan on installing GRJ's little board with a capacitor to stabilize a string of LEDs I'll install in the ceiling.  Since I'll be taking out that bright white incandescent bulb in the middle, I'll be able to remove the 'shades' from the 'bay window', and I'll try to put some little people and caboose thingies in there (not sure what they would be yet).

Anyway, thanks again.