Changing trucks on MTH cars ?

clem k posted:

Good morning

Does anybody make the conversion parts to put different trucks like Weaver or Athern on MTH premier rolling stock ?

Clem K

What "conversion parts" would be needed? The MTH trucks are attached by a screw from the INSIDE of the car, thus the truck bolster is threaded. I would think that simply using an appropriate size machine screw from the INSIDE of an MTH car, down thru the bolster of the truck of your choice, then putting a nut on the bottom of the machine screw, would do the trick.

I'm guessing you are referring to the fact that a lot of MTH cars ride very high.  I've put all kinds of trucks on Premier cars, but it seems each case is different, depending on which kind of truck you are trying to substitute.  I don't know of any kits, but I think that is because there are just too many different situations.  Good luck!

Clem, I've changed every one of my MTH cars to either Lionel or Atlas O roller bearing trucks with spinning caps. The best way is to use the screws and sleeves Atlas O has. They fit perfectly in the hole where the MTH truck fits. If you want to use the Lionel trucks, or Atlas O for that matter, I use a piece of Plastruct on the opposite side of the floor on the MTH cars, cut to about 3/4 x 3/4", CA glue it in place (on opposite side), then use a #4 x 1/2" screw from the bottom side and attach the trucks. Lowers the car, looks so much better, and gives it a perfect ride height for adding Kadee couplers.

Jeff I cant find those sleeves/plug/adaptet any more. The old Atlas trucks came with a baggy that had screws and a plastic adapter, but that is no no longer included in the trucks that I have bought recently. It was perfect for MTH cars. I wonder if they are available separately?

Doug, these come with all the 2-rail trucks now, as I just got several pairs of them (the new design slimmer sideframes) so they still make them...

Are you saying that if I had an MTH Premier 50' hi-cube boxcar and removed the 3-rail trucks that I can replace them with Atlas 2-rail 100-ton roller bearing trucks (#7066) using the supplied adapters and screws without any modifications? Will the Kadee couplers (745's) need to be shimmed?

Catnap, yes you are 100% accurate on that- and then take a look at the finished product- you'll end up doing your entire fleet. I know, because I did my entire fleet. And, no shims needed for the Kadee couplers.

Thanks for the reply, Jeff. Now you've piqued my interest since I have extra 100-ton trucks. I'll need to get some couplers but they're cheap.

I've always liked the MTH 50' hi-cube boxcars since they seem to be such a common site today. I never cared much for MTH's trucks so I never seriously considered replacing the their 3-rail trucks with their scale wheel trucks.

I don't know about a fleet, but I think some of the Norfolk Southern and Canadian National hi-cubes which were recently released may be in order. Depending on how many I get, these may come at the expense of my Atlas 60' Berwicks that I was planning to preorder this Spring.

catnap posted:

Are you saying that if I had an MTH Premier 50' hi-cube boxcar and removed the 3-rail trucks that I can replace them with Atlas 2-rail 100-ton roller bearing trucks (#7066) using the supplied adapters and screws without any modifications? Will the Kadee couplers (745's) need to be shimmed?

catnap posted:

Thanks for the reply, Jeff. Now you've piqued my interest since I have extra 100-ton trucks. I'll need to get some couplers but they're cheap.

I've always liked the MTH 50' hi-cube boxcars since they seem to be such a common site today. I never cared much for MTH's trucks so I never seriously considered replacing the their 3-rail trucks with their scale wheel trucks.

I don't know about a fleet, but I think some of the Norfolk Southern and Canadian National hi-cubes which were recently released may be in order. Depending on how many I get, these may come at the expense of my Atlas 60' Berwicks that I was planning to preorder this Spring.

Interesting.. Are you using the 2 rail trucks on 3 rail with the Kadees?? If so what type track are you using and how do the trucks perform (derailing, turnouts etc)??

I've got many cars with 2-rail trucks and many with the 3-rail, and with Kadees. I use Gargraves track, Ross turnouts, and everything runs perfect. My engines, though, utilize 3-rail wheelsets. 

This puzzles me. I have Ross 0-72 switches. Two rail cars have about a 50% chance of getting through a switch without derailing, even after shimming the switch. That's at slow speed. At high speed? Forget it!

My two rail stuff is now confined to a switchless loop, with 0-80 min. Even had to put pizza cutters on my gorgeous Malcom caboose to get it through the switches!

I wanted to use my Weaver trucks, are the plugs available separately ? 

No not available separately.  I would just glue a piece on the inside floor and use a small screw to secure it. 

I have a way figured out, but I need a lathe.  

Jeff78rr posted:

Clem, I've changed every one of my MTH cars to either Lionel or Atlas O roller bearing trucks with spinning caps. The best way is to use the screws and sleeves Atlas O has. They fit perfectly in the hole where the MTH truck fits. If you want to use the Lionel trucks, or Atlas O for that matter, I use a piece of Plastruct on the opposite side of the floor on the MTH cars, cut to about 3/4 x 3/4", CA glue it in place (on opposite side), then use a #4 x 1/2" screw from the bottom side and attach the trucks. Lowers the car, looks so much better, and gives it a perfect ride height for adding Kadee couplers.

It is a pain, but it's what you have to do.

Thats most the battle for me is lowering the ride height, using 3 rail wheels. Sure seems like I shouldn't have that problem anymore. I noticed a lot of lionel now ride lower but not all, and Atlas and MTH are still high. I sure miss Weaver.

Clem

Here's some quick pics. 1st are the MTH hi-cubes. Using Atlas O 100 ton rb trucks. Lowers the ride height perfectly. 2nd are my 100 ton MTH hoppers. Same thing, Atlas O 100 ton rb trucks. And 3rd a MTH 50' boxcar. A unique conversion. Turn the frame upside down to eliminate the steel dimple riser. Add a piece of plastic on the inside and secure with a #4 1/2" screw. 

I also did these MTH coalporters. Completely removed the truck mounting dimple, added a new floor for mounting the trucks, and moved them outwards about 1/2" which is how they should look. Using Atlas O 2-rail 100 ton rb trucks so the ride height is correct. Also made some bottom wraps to extend the bottom tubs which makes a huge difference. Added real coal loads and Kadee couplers. Changed all the numbers to be all unique and no duplicates- Makes a cool unit train.

Here is a couple of cars I did, two 89' Atlas 2 rail Flats and a K-Line Spline car 5 pack. How can Atlas make a 2 rail car that high ? Their double stacks sit low with 3 rail wheels. The yellow car has Weaver 3 rail wheels and trucks.

It's all the bolster. Remove it, alter it, etc. make those cars lower for sure-

 Clem, I posted this a while back. Other than a trip to Lowe's for some bonded washers everything else you probably have from other conversions. Works good enough for now till I come up with a different truck or a more ready made mount. The only real negative is you have to Loctite the truck mount screw and probably over time check on it. The only mode that has to be done is filing off the stock coupler mounting bosses. You can even get around this by using an offset coupler.

not sure how to post a direct link. You will find it under  Lowering MTH Flatcars doing a search on the 3RS Forum.

All I did was change trucks, on the flats I had to add washers between the Weaver truck and the car mounting.  I guess maybe Atlas changed their 2rail trucks. Same thing with the K-line only it was a thin washer.

Clem

Dave that turned out good

Clem