Lionel C420 2-rail Conversion

I don’t know if the Lionel RS-11 and C420 pilots are the same, although I suspect they are.  There may be an easy way to fix the pilots and install Kadees. 

This should fit in the pilot opening and fill the pilot space, like the below RS-11. 

Thanks.

-Mario

Now that Joe closed up shop there is no one I Know of that does this type of work. If you find someone or some way to do it please post it here.

Good luck! I mean that sincerely.

palallin, I'm sending you an offline email using your profile info.  If you don't see it, let me know.

I might be able to help with this conversion.

Joe is still advertising In "O Scale Trains", so maybe he has just cut back and not stopped.   I know he told me last year he was stopping, but I can't imagine he would have paid for over a year of ads if not still doing something.

Perhaps he had already pre paid for those ads before he decided to retire?

NWSL offered a conversion kit. Requires pulling wheels off axles and replacing with ones from the kit. power pickup modification is on you.

If this has the same offset trucks that are on an engine I bought, I'd advise against this move. It's a Lionel SD70 model. The engine can't go around my layout one lap without jumping off the rails. Really not even one curve. I have to think that some models are just not right for 2 rail.

 I maybe wrong on this? I just fear you'll open a money pit of wasted time and effort.

I emailed Joe last night and he has not returned it yet...hopefully he is still doing conversions...I want a steamer converted.

I think a C420 is a 4 axle unit as opposed to an SD70 which is 6 axles and much bigger trucks.    it might be friendlier on curves.   

The big issue I think with a project like this is changing the wheels.    It may require pulling and resetting the axle gears if you can't get drop in axles.

Three rail models pictured.  

I think the easiest thing to do is to buy an old Weaver FA (2 rail) and use the motor and Alco trucks from that in your C420.  They show up at train shows and on eBay although the prices have gone up a little recently.  That will solve your power pick up and swapping out the wheels. You can sell the Lionel drive and Weaver shell and frame to recoup some of your costs. You'll have to drill and file the frame to open it up for the tower end, but that isn't all that bad.  I installed Weaver drives in three Lionel F3's. 

Dear List,

Joe F. is no longer doing any 2 rail conversions. Period.

Regards, John

jdunn posted:

Dear List,

Joe F. is no longer doing any 2 rail conversions. Period.

Regards, John

The above is correct. He has indeed stopped doing conversions.

So why not have the remainder of his prepaid ads state this fact.  It would save both Joe and the prospective client some aggravation....or maybe just stop the ads period! I can't fathom why one or the other would not be feasible.

Simon

Simon Winter posted:

jdunn posted:

Dear List,

Joe F. is no longer doing any 2 rail conversions. Period.

Regards, John

The above is correct. He has indeed stopped doing conversions.

So why not have the remainder of his prepaid ads state this fact.  It would save both Joe and the prospective client some aggravation....or maybe just stop the ads period! I can't fathom why one or the other would not be feasible.

Simon

Why not call Joe and ask HIM those questions? 

jdunn posted:

Dear List,

Joe F. is no longer doing any 2 rail conversions. Period.

Regards, John

That's exactly what I thought. Not a surprise here.

roll_the_dice posted:

I emailed Joe last night and he has not returned it yet...hopefully he is still doing conversions...I want a steamer converted.

Unfortunately his retirement means that I’ll be postponing my foray into 2R. I have taken apart some Lionel power trucks to see what needs to be done but just haven’t made the investment in a press to do the work, and design what I’ll need to add to the side of the truck to pick up the power from the insulated wheel. 

All good stuff here!

thanks,

-Mario

I am gratified by all these responses as well as the ones I got via email.  I am now contemplating some options and will report on the route I choose to go.  I am, of course, eager to hear any more information anyone wishes to provide.  It seems that a potentially immense resource is very difficult to tap into. . . .