Weaver Arch Bar trucks and couplers (Bettendorf) GOT THEM !!! THANKS

Weaver offered both archbar {which l wish l had hoarded) and Bettendorf trucks #711. Shoulda stocked up on those, too. 

Unless I am wrong, archbar and Bettendorf are different. Archbar truck sideframes are made from flat iron and riveted together. Bettendorf side frames are cast steel. Also, Bettendorf are considerably newer than archbar.

Not sure about Weaver plastic trucks, but their diecast ones are virtually impossible to find, and have been for several  years. For some reason, the last number of years while they were still in business, Weaver seemed to have ignored making these, for some unknown reason. 

There had been some talk that the new Lionel LionScale series (which are made from the old Weaver molds) would have improved trucks that would be Weaver-compatible. They're offered as parts by Lionel. Anyone know if they fit the older Weaver cars?

Th Arch bar trucks never sold well so they were never remade after the initial stock was sold out. The Bettendorfs and the roller bearings were done one mo time just before they closed. I believe Bob Lavezzi still has some D/C Roller bearing trucks left. 

I replaced plastic trucks with die cast archbars on some of my Weaver cars.  Sadly, they have disintegrated (zinc rot?), so I am also curious WRT new parts compatibility.

I have plenty of Delrin (plastic) roller bearing trucks available 

Clem k

RoyBoy posted:

Unless I am wrong, archbar and Bettendorf are different.

You are correct - 2 very different types of trucks from 2 different time frames....

I actually have a few of the older die cast Athearn archbars on my bench with 3 rail wheels sets in them which tells me that one could just put 3 rail wheel sets in any of the Delrin Athearn trucks and use them.

Athearn trucks use the same length axle as Weaver.    the wheelsets are virtually interchangeable.     Athearn still makes delrin Bettendorf, Archbar, and RB trucks.   

I have some Athearn archbars with throw-away plastic wheelsets, which are underwhelming vs. Weaver's. I used to raid a shop in southern Pa. for Weaver's when they existed.

colorado hirailer posted:

I have some Athearn archbars with throw-away plastic wheelsets, which are underwhelming vs. Weaver's. I used to raid a shop in southern Pa. for Weaver's when they existed.

I swap out the plastic wheelsets for good metal ones and then sell the plastic ones on eBay -- someone wants and buys them,