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I recently picked up a set of the older MTH 70' streamline cars.  They have the rubber diaphragms and the older style non-sprung trucks.  I bought them to convert to 2 rail using the MTH 2 rail streamline trucks.  I took one of the cars apart and the new 2 rail truck is significantly larger than the stock 3 rail truck.  If I mount it in the existing screw hole it hits the car body.

I tried mounting the 2 rail truck normally and reversed so that what would have been the coupler is toward the center of the car and neither way works.  At this point I think I'm going to have to modify the car floor and make a new mount.

Has anyone changed these cars to 2 rail and if so what did you do?

Also, does MTH sell the new style diaphragm as a separate part?  I could not find a parts diagram on the newer style cars.

Ideas are appreciated. 

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The problem is exactly as you describe, the scalloped area is too small.  MTH redesigned the trucks a few years ago to the sprung trucks and it looks like those are standard on the 70' cars now.  I don't have any of the newer cars so I don't know if MTH increased the scalloped area or changed the truck mounting position.  The new trucks will fit in the older scalloped area, just not in the existing mounting hole, it puts them about 1/4 inch too far forward.  If I drill out the mount and make a new one out of styrene I can change where the hole is located and not file on the car bodies.

I posted 4 pictures.  The 3 rails truck is considerable smaller than the 2 rail truck.  I'm thinking maybe the 2 rail truck was intended for the MTH aluminum cars.  It will fit, but I will either have to file the car body (not my first choice) or drill out the plastic mount and make a new one out of styrene. 

I'm still working on my home layout as we moved not too long ago.  The space I have allows for 55 inch radius curves.  I will run these at the club layout in the mean time and they have 60 inch or greater curves.  It looks like I could center the trucks in the skirt opening if I move the mounting about 1/4 inch. 

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

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