Conversion wheelsets- Weaver 3-rail diecast Bettendorf Trucks to 2-rail wheelset

I saw these on the Atlas site a while back. Haven’t read anything about them. They seem to be under the radar even with 3 railers as they also offer that option. Not a clear picture and I’m assuming maybe they picked up the tooling for the trucks from MTH as they were offering a 3 rail version at one time. The Weaver trucks are like gold. I know you asked about switching out axles. Just throwing this out there as an option.

@Dave_C funny you mention it, I ordered some of them for now in order to keep conversions going (have someone receiving the cars to weather and didn’t want to keep him waiting), but longer term they’re just not cost effective.

I’ve ordered a couple options from NWSL, will report back what I find. The length appears correct, but the diameter of the axle shaft still seems too large… however, their advertised axle diameter is still significantly smaller than Intermountain’s. It falls between the Intermountain and the stock diameter. Hoping that at the bearing end the NWSL axles are tapered enough to work.

Atlas has a better picture of the 3 rail version of those trucks.

https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-586...r-rolling-stock.aspx

These appear to be the trucks that Beth discussed in this thread.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...iecast-sprung-trucks

@calsz06 posted:

Atlas has a better picture of the 3 rail version of those trucks.

https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-586...r-rolling-stock.aspx

These appear to be the trucks that Beth discussed in this thread.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...iecast-sprung-trucks

Your post has the 3 rail, looking to go from 3-rail to 2-rail. The Atlas 3-rail truck here is basically identical to the trucks I already have with the large flange 3-rail wheel. Also, trying to avoid buying trucks and find a suitable set of wheels since the frames are identical.

@Dave_C When I saw your post I almost lost my breakfast! I have been waiting literally years for (I thought MTH) to start making those trucks again. I was all set to order at least 3 maybe  sets of them but I went to the Atlas website and the page I got does not say "In Stock" like it shows in your screenshot. It looked like this for me:

So something tells me that they aren't actually in stock. I could be wrong though. I guess I will have to contact Atlas and ask them. You can click on the image and you get this:

To me they look like regular Weaver Bettendorf trucks.

I agree the original Weaver trucks are like gold. I still have a few left but I believe they are not die-cast. The trucks Weaver used for many many years were some other kind of metal. It was near the end that Weaver contracted MTH to make trucks for them that they started putting die-cast trucks in their cars. The die cast trucks are nice but with the old Weaver trucks you never had to worry about zinc pest. This also makes the die cast trucks for Weaver cars very rare since they weren't produced for many years. Both 2 rail and 3 rail.

@Andrew B. If it were me and it was a special very rare car that I was trying to convert I would just replace the trucks IF I could get them but everyone is different. That's just my opinion. Keep us posted on the NWSL axles.

  I went to the Big E last week. I walked right by the Atlas  booth. During the week I had planned to stop and ask about these. Totally forgot. I run Kadee’s but stick with the 3 rail wheels. I would remove the coupler anyways. In the picture it looks different than the Weaver coupler. Looks to be part of the truck assembly rather than added on.

Follow Calvin’s link to Beth’s post. Sounds like they will be arriving fairly soon with a pretty good price.

@Dave_C That post was  from several years ago. The prices are higher now.

@Hudson J1e The Atlas site occasionally has an issue with the "In Stock" Icon. It shows up in my browser. The 2 rail and 3 rail trucks show up on the website of a few Hobby shops.

Just did a quick search. Mr Muffins site shows the 3 rail version. Much better picture. Looks like Weaver’s thinner side frames. But some of it looks like an Atlas truck with the top piece removed. The coupler itself look Atlas like. Without seeing one first hand it’s hard to evaluate them.

@calsz06 Well I guess Beth never got the trucks or never worked out the issue with the screw because as you noted that post from Beth was over 3 years ago and I just checked her website and there is no mention of those trucks. She currently does list the Weaver (made by MTH) truck in 3 rail. I'm not sure if it is in stock. The current price is $31.95. Thanks for letting me know about the Atlas website. I will check it again periodically.

@Dave_C     Thank you for pointing me in the direction for extra information on what these trucks are. If  I am going to pay top dollar for a set of trucks I would much prefer that they just bolt on without modification. Having said that I still might buy a pair or two.