San Juan trucks

I have several cars running on San Juan trucks.  A pair of DRG&W kit built outside sheathed box cars have San Juan trucks I upgraded with NWSL wheel sets.  A ready built San Juan tank car is running without issues on their factory metal tired plastic trucks.  As far as Red Caboose truck -  I have a dozen or more kit built cars (reefers & flats ) in service with NWSL wheel sets.  I don't recall the NWSL part numbers but it was easy to order them directly from NWSL using the axel lengths and description of the axel end shape of the wheel sets being replaced.  The San Juan and Red Caboose struck side frames are different from the typical Bettendorf's seen under many transition era prototypes. I like the variety.

For Bettendorf's my go to truck has been Intermountain with IM wheel sets.  Assembled properly the IM trucks equalize just enough for good tracking.  IM's simulated plastic springs and brake shoes do a nice job of capturing the look of the prototype - IMO better that the slightly "airy" Athearn ones that ride under many of my cars.  As with the others brands, I've  replaced the Athearn plastic wheels with metal ones from either NWSL or IM.  By eliminating plastic wheels from the railroad I find the rails stay cleaner and I don't get the grunge build up on the wheel treads.

Keystoned Ed posted:

.....I've  replaced the Athearn plastic wheels with metal ones from either NWSL or IM.  By eliminating plastic wheels from the railroad I find the rails stay cleaner and I don't get the grunge build up on the wheel treads.

Yes.  Whatever you choose, eliminating those plastic wheels is an improvement and also adds a bit more weight at the lowest point, particularly important for some of the lighter cars or where adding some additional weight is difficult to do.....