I have a Weaver three bay hopper I'm converting from 2 rail to 3 rail. What size is the screw for mounting the trucks on the 3 rail rolling stock?
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@superwarp1 posted:I have a Weaver three bay hopper I'm converting from 2 rail to 3 rail. What size is the screw for mounting the trucks on the 3 rail rolling stock?
Wouldn't the same screw that holds the 2-Rail trucks in place work for the 3-Rail trucks and coupler assembly?
It’s the same screw. It’s a 2-56 x 1 mile long
Sorry to say it's not the same screw. The car I have, when you add the coupler, it needs a longer screw. Not by much but knowing its a a 2-56 helps a lot
@Hot Water posted:Wouldn't the same screw that holds the 2-Rail trucks in place work for the 3-Rail trucks and coupler assembly?
What a concept! 
Weaver screws are 2-56...and Gary is correct. The Weaver 3-rail truck/coupler combination requires a longer screw because the coupler shank mounts on top of the truck (between the top of the truck and the car bolster) and acts as a spacer to gain the necessary clearance for the large 3-rail wheel flanges. The 2-rail truck mounts directly to the car bolster.
Gary, can you measure the length of the original 2-rail mounting screw? You would need a screw that's approximately the thickness of the coupler shank longer. I may be able to help you out as I have a large supply of 2-56 screws in various lengths.
Don't forget, coal cars - hoppers require even a longer screw. For a USA company, Weaver sure did some odd ball stuff along the way. Lot of changes to the product as time went on.
@CNJ #1601 posted:Weaver screws are 2-56...and Gary is correct. The Weaver 3-rail truck/coupler combination requires a longer screw because the coupler shank mounts on top of the truck (between the top of the truck and the car bolster) and acts as a spacer to gain the necessary clearance for the large 3-rail wheel flanges. The 2-rail truck mounts directly to the car bolster.
Gary, can you measure the length of the original 2-rail mounting screw? You would need a screw that's approximately the thickness of the coupler shank longer. I may be able to help you out as I have a large supply of 2-56 screws in various lengths.
2 rail screws are 3/4” Figure I need a inch with the added coupler or washers so the high wheels clear the car and I add Kadee.
Hey Guy's
If you need screws for your Weaver cars like I did (2-56) X whatever, Here's a website of a gal who is the owner of Micro Fasteners in Easton, Pennsylvania. Have to buy the screws in bags of 100 which were inexpensive. All of her stock is made in the U.S.A. This isn't the first time that I've dealt with them. Like everybody else, she's been struggling to keep the business alive with the Covid-19 situation. Give her a chance!
Steam Forever
John
Micro Fasteners is where I buy my 2-56 and all small hobby screws, washers, nuts, etc. They have a great selection!
Gary, I just checked by supply of 2-56 screws. Unfortunately I don’t have any 1” on hand right now...sorry. Longest I have is 3/4”. Maybe someone else here can send you a few.
@N&WY6b posted:Hey Guy's
If you need screws for your Weaver cars like I did (2-56) X whatever, Here's a website of a gal who is the owner of Micro Fasteners in Easton, Pennsylvania. Have to buy the screws in bags of 100 which were inexpensive. All of her stock is made in the U.S.A. This isn't the first time that I've dealt with them. Like everybody else, she's been struggling to keep the business alive with the Covid-19 situation. Give her a chance!
Steam Forever
John
I'm aware of Microfasteners. Screws ordered, and thanks again with everyones help finding the size.
@superwarp1 posted:Sorry to say it's not the same screw. The car I have, when you add the coupler, it needs a longer screw. Not by much but knowing its a a 2-56 helps a lot
IT depends on the type of hopper car. Most Weaver 2 and 3 bay hopper cars need the 2-56 x 1" to attach the die cast weaver trucks to the car. The BIG EXCEPTION is the latest High side 4 bay hopper which uses the 2-56 x 1 1/4" SCREW.
How do you find the weaver screws on microfasteners site?
https://www.microfasteners.com is the place to go to find small screws in many sizes. They're the go-to place if you're working with Atlas cars in particular since they carry metric screws.
im finding some 2/56 screws, but none longer than 1"...am i looking in the wrong places?
@Jim Berger posted:im finding some 2/56 screws, but none longer than 1"...am i looking in the wrong places?
Have you tried your local hardware store? My local TrueValue store has 2-56 screws in various lengths.
Hey Jim,
I can't say this as a fact, but 2/56 X1" might be the limit for this small of a screw. When I first was looking for the same size screw in Post Hardware stores, the screw lengths were only 3/4" long. When I discovered Micro Fasteners, there were more choices! Mc Master- Carr might be another option, although you may have to buy larger quantities. If you can, use a different screw size of a longer length provided you can tap the hole!
Steam Forever
John
Dont forget you also have Evil Bay and Amazon.
Try Fastenal.
Grainger.com also.
screw 1-1/4” length item #1zu29
nuts 2-56 #2fe43
@Jim Berger posted:im finding some 2/56 screws, but none longer than 1"...am i looking in the wrong places?
Like Hot Water... I find mine at the local hardware store. True Value, Ace. Do It Best.
Hey Ben,
Wow! You actually know what you're talking about! (kidding, you're the best). Jim, Ben beat me to the draw, but that's exactly where I had purchased the same screws for 3 Weaver flat cars. The lady that owns the business, is quite nice and will chat with you. Her biggest challenge is getting the parts out to customers asap. It's not her fault since there are so many problems with shortages of anything. My challenge when I purchased from her was U.S.P.S. and I couldn't blame her for the delays. Parcel went from Easton Pa. to Camden N.J. to Pa. again and then finally to Hillsborugh, N.J. (goverment is wonderful, ain't it). She was having challenges a year ago, keeping the business alive because there are too many customers putting the blame on her, rather than trying to be understanding. Give her a chance, her parts are made in America. Found all this out through conversation. Happy New Year everyone! You too Ben!
Steam Forever
John
I use Micro Fasteners for a lot of hardware. I especially like that they have a great assortment of nylon screws, I use those for floating the tender shell doing TMCC command upgrades.
I might be way off, but I use 2-56 to mount kadee couplers to weaver cars..I never had to buy screw for weaver trucks, as I always convert all my rolling stock to 2rail. Therefor I cut the screw to length and use it. I understand when you’re converting two rail to three rail you need a longer screw it than what came with the application. But what I’m questioning is the 2-56 size for mounting a truck. The Screws that hold my Weaver trucks are too large to fit in the holes of a Kadee coupler. So is 2-56 correct for both? Maybe I don’t understand sizes but I know the screws that hold on my Weaver trucks will not fit into the holes and Kadee couplers and the Kadee couplers take 2-56 for weaver cars. Maybe I’m off but I’m just trying to help. Happy New Year Joe
@Hot Water posted:Wouldn't the same screw that holds the 2-Rail trucks in place work for the 3-Rail trucks and coupler assembly?
No, it depends on the truck being used. If the o.p. is using a die cast truck and couplers from weaver/mth then they need a 2-56×1" screw.
If its the plastic weaver t&c then yes the o.e.m. 2-56x3/4" screw works.
Now if you REALLY want to have some "fun" one of Weaver models last ultraline freight cars, the high sided 4 bay hopper car came with plastic t&c from weaver with a 2-56x1" mounting screw. Try to add the die cast t&c from Weaver/mth and you need to obtain a 2-56x 1 1/4" screw!
