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Reply to "Question About Atlas 2-Rail Trucks"

In the 80s when Atlas did those original cars which look pretty much like the same  upper bodies as the new train line, they offered 2 rail metal wheelsets for them as a separate purchase.    I have not seen those available in years except at a flea market once on a while.    the big flange wheels on the trucks are plastice, so they will work on 2 rail track if taller rail is used, prbably code 148 or above - (height 148 thousandths).    

Athearn wheelsets can be forced into those trucks.    the axles are bigger and a little long but most times can be made to work.

to remove the coupler, take of the clip that holds it on and then cut off or break off the coupler mount tab.    All those cars I have ever seen have holes i the  under frame for mounting Kadees.     You use 2-56 screws and nuts.    the nuts snap into the underframe and the coupler mounts with the screws.    Sometimes you have to shim the coupler box down a smidge to get the right height with the trucks y ou are using.

The new atlas trucks are made for 3 rail stuff with room for the high couplers so they put a shallow bolster on the car and a high bolster on the truck to clear the coupler.    They are not to NMRA specs for bolster height and the cars sit too high if a standard height bolster is on the carbody.     The NMRA has recommended practices or standards (not sure which) that define what the height of the bolster on the truck should be above the rail and what height above the rail the underside of the carbody should be.    Most 2-rail mfg adhere to these standards and trucks and cars are interchangable.

An athearn truck will set the car at pretty much the right height.    However as you say the mounting hole is very large for the snap-in pin.    There were plugs sold from various people at one time to fill the hole and mount regular trucks.   Not sure if anyone still makes them.    A solutionis to get a styrene (Evergreen is a common brand) tube that has an OD to fit the hole and ID to fit a screw like a 2-56 you can use to mount the truck.   

I suggest you get an NMRA standards gauge for O scale from them or a hobby shop and use it to gauge all your wheel sets and set the coupler height.    If you go by their standards, most things you buy will work without modification.   

the new atlas cars for 2 rail do sit at right coupler height, just have unique truck mounting.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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