2 rail freight car converted to 3 rail?

Since this subject has been discussed a number of times, both here and on the 3-Rail Scale Forum, you might try the search function. Generally it should be as simple as removing the 2-Rail SCALE trucks & body mounted couplers, then installing 3-Rail trucks with couplers.

Weaver cars are very easy to convert either way. In your case just remove the body mounted coupler and the 2 rail truck. Then get a hold of a set of 3 rail Weaver trucks and 3 rail Weaver couplers. They are for sale separately. The coupler just sits on top of the truck and once you screw the truck in it holds the whole assembly together. I did this on three different boxcars for a friend of mine who is a 3 railer. 

Of course now that Weaver is going out of business getting these parts may be harder in the future. 

It is easy - even for older O Scale.  You can do it with a screwdriver if you do not mind raising the car high enough for the wheels and coupler to freely swivel.  But be semi- cautious about converting older metal and wood cars - you can easily reduce their value considerably when you get out the old Dremel tool and start cutting bolsters and coupler pockets.

My guess is that there are now plenty of used 3-rail cars out there for cheap.

I found a wagontop boxcar that I like but it was only availble in 2 rail.  I bought it anyhow as they seem hard to get anymore.  Will I have to buy 3 rail trucks and coupers specific to that car or is that a generic product?

Thanks,

Ben

If it was the Weaver B&O wagon top boxcar, simply obtain Weaver 3-Rail trucks & couplers, and make the swap.

Great.  Thanks Hot Water.

Ben

I converted some scratch-built On30 (2 rail) cars to 3 rail O gauge by just removing the NG couplers and mounting the car bodies on O trucks. I used Marx 3/16" scale trucks as they looked better under the NG cars than standard O gauge trucks.

I have done this on a number of 2 rail OLD scale cars.

1. you need to install spacers between the spine and the top of the truck as the older scale wheels with smaller flanges don't need as much clearance for turning.

2. I prefer to use the older Weaver plastic trucks as they gave me more flexibility  to bore out the hole and use a variety of screws for mounting.

Generally its an easy transition, but each car has to be evaluated and will offer its own unique challenges

I  called Weaver.  For the wagontop boxcars I need two sets of P718 Die Cast Bettendorf trucks in 3 rail with couplers (two to a set).  They are sold out at Weaver and don't seem to be obviously available anywere else. I already bought the 2-rail cars.  Any ideas on where to find the 3-rail truck/coupler sets?

Thanks!

Ben

Call the big little RR shop in Somerville, NJ. they had some D/C weaver trucks and couplers.

I have a pair you're after that I just took off of a Weaver car I converted to 2-rail yesterday (now I have to find which box I put them in). I'll trade you for your 2-rail couplers/trucks. Contact me off-list.