Lionel Diecast Coal Hopper, 2 rail

Nice job! 

Hudson J1e posted:

Nice job! 

Thank you.

You used the standard Lionel trucks and swapped out the NWSL wheel sets?  I have this car in another road name and was wondering the best way to convert it.  Also did you use the shims I see in the last picture?  If so how many?  Thanks for the right up.  Thanks!

roll_the_dice posted:

You used the standard Lionel trucks and swapped out the NWSL wheel sets?  I have this car in another road name and was wondering the best way to convert it.  Also did you use the shims I see in the last picture?  If so how many?  Thanks for the right up.  Thanks!

You used the standard Lionel trucks and swapped out the NWSL wheel sets?  Yes, I had to use the Dremel cutting wheel to remove the Lionel couplers. Then I removed the Lionel wheels and put in the NWSL wheels.

As for the shims, I used four on each end to match the Kadee height gauge.

Thanks Curtis! 

What length screws did you end up using for the Kadees?  4 shims per coupler...wow, I was thinking 2.  Thanks for doing the dirty work!

roll_the_dice posted:

Thanks Curtis! 

What length screws did you end up using for the Kadees?  4 shims per coupler...wow, I was thinking 2.  Thanks for doing the dirty work!

The screws are 2-56 3/8 or 1/2" in length. I bought my screws at Ace hardware. 

Thanks Curtis...I appreciate it...Love when the guesswork is taken out of a job.

I did the conversion with my Lionel S&A diecast hopper yesterday.  I ended up using Atlas 70 Ton trucks I had and added the Kadee couplers.  Not easy drilling the metal frame and getting them straight.  I should have made a jig.  I had to shim the trucks with a washer to get the correct height for the coupler.  Overall I am super happy with the result.

Thanks for your help...I was hesitant to purchase this freight car because of the conversion.  I had it saved on my list of cars I wanted.

Nice conversion.

roll_the_dice posted:

I did the conversion with my Lionel S&A diecast hopper yesterday.  I ended up using Atlas 70 Ton trucks I had and added the Kadee couplers.  Not easy drilling the metal frame and getting them straight.  I should have made a jig.  I had to shim the trucks with a washer to get the correct height for the coupler.  Overall I am super happy with the result.

Thanks for your help...I was hesitant to purchase this freight car because of the conversion.  I had it saved on my list of cars I wanted.

The conversion looks great. I'm glad you took the dive. 

My reason for using the Lionel trucks is,, I like the working/equalizing springs as well as the turning roller bearings. I admit using the Dremel to cut off the Lionel couplers is scary with the flying sparks in all directions. If you ever try that, use eye protection and wear a long sleeved light weight jacket. Gloves wont hurt either. The sparks are no joke.

A week ago Saturday, a new Lionel diecast coal hopper arrived.

I immediately worked on converting that car to 2 rail. 

The process was easier this time now that I know what I'm doing.

Until NWSL is back open, I had to use Lionel's 70 ton wheels.

Like the first time, I used Lionel's trucks by cutting off their 3 rail couplers.

Thanks Matt and Curtis.

I bought the Lionel conversion wheelsets, but am saving them for a boxcar conversion.  The Atlas trucks I used have roller bearings, but not sprung.  That is a nice feature.

I have used the dremel to cut off some Lionel trucks before and you are right about the sparks.  They are no joke!

Did you make a jog for the coupler drill points?  If I do another of these hoppers I think a jig will make it easier.

Excellent job! Lionel does make some super nice cars.

I have done this Kadee conversion, too!  I 3D printed the Kadee adapters with the design fitting into the notch in the center sill.  I like the way these hoppers look and the heft of this hopper is great!

Thanks!

- Mario

roll_the_dice posted:

Thanks Matt and Curtis.

I bought the Lionel conversion wheelsets, but am saving them for a boxcar conversion.  The Atlas trucks I used have roller bearings, but not sprung.  That is a nice feature.

I have used the dremel to cut off some Lionel trucks before and you are right about the sparks.  They are no joke!

Did you make a jog for the coupler drill points?  If I do another of these hoppers I think a jig will make it easier.

Andy, the whole Lionel 2 rail wheel set situation has me confused. I thought, and please somebody correct me if I am wrong, that the wheel sets will only work on the LionScale cars (former Weaver cars). I wish Lionel had an easy 2 rail truck like MTH does but AFAIK they do not.

@CentralFan1976  Nice job!  I wish I had a 3d printer and if I did knew how to use it.  They confuse me, but I have never tried to use one either.

@Hudson J1e  They confuse me too.  I bought them, but haven't tried to use them yet.  I read where they are for the Lionscale cars, but I "think" I have seen/read where people have used them on  newer Lionel freight cars.  The next car I do, I am going to try to use them..so I will find out.  If no one else corrects us, I will report back.

I do like using ready made trucks like Atlas or MTH...just makes it so much easier.  I do wish Lionel made full 2 rail trucks.

I’ve used the Lionel 2-rail conversion wheels on autoracks and an 86’ boxcar. Neither of those are LionScale (Weaver) but they are Lionel scale freight cars.

Yes, I can see where this can be a bit ambiguous with the nomenclature.

I plan on using Atlas 70T RB trucks when I convert my Husky Stacks then again I may find the Lionel 2-rail wheels a better option. These Husky Stacks are from the most recent run so they have the newer truck design that will accept the Lionel 2-rail wheel conversion kit.

Later on, I’ll post some photos of a Lionel Chessie NE caboose that I 2-railed using Atlas friction bearing caboose trucks and Kadee 745’s. I boogered the connections to the copper contacts but the interior lights work fine after testing with a 9V battery.

Lionel makes some really nice stuff that is right up there with Atlas as far as details go. Their cabooses are no exveption.

roll_the_dice posted:

Thanks Matt and Curtis.

I bought the Lionel conversion wheelsets, but am saving them for a boxcar conversion.  The Atlas trucks I used have roller bearings, but not sprung.  That is a nice feature.

I have used the dremel to cut off some Lionel trucks before and you are right about the sparks.  They are no joke!

Did you make a jog for the coupler drill points?  If I do another of these hoppers I think a jig will make it easier.

As for the Jig, I didn't use a jig. I marked the drill location using a spring loaded center punch. Visually I placed the center punch where the 2-56 hole should be drilled. 

catnap posted:

I’ve used the Lionel 2-rail conversion wheels on autoracks and an 86’ boxcar. Neither of those are LionScale (Weaver) but they are Lionel scale freight cars.

Yes, I can see where this can be a bit ambiguous with the nomenclature.

I plan on using Atlas 70T RB trucks when I convert my Husky Stacks then again I may find the Lionel 2-rail wheels a better option. These Husky Stacks are from the most recent run so they have the newer truck design that will accept the Lionel 2-rail wheel conversion kit.

Later on, I’ll post some photos of a Lionel Chessie NE caboose that I 2-railed using Atlas friction bearing caboose trucks and Kadee 745’s. I boogered the connections to the copper contacts but the interior lights work fine after testing with a 9V battery.

Lionel makes some really nice stuff that is right up there with Atlas as far as details go. Their cabooses are no exveption.

Thanks for the clarification Rob!  

I want to convert a Lionel Caboose that I love.  So I look forward to your conversion pics of the Atlas Caboose.  Mine is a smoking caboose...do you think I can incorporate that or should I forget it and just get the lights to work?  It already has on/off switches for both the lights and smoke unit.  I have been afraid to try the conversion until I get a few under my belt.  I bought the Atlas 2 rail caboose trucks with pickups.

Curtis--good thinking.  I went to buy a spring loaded punch and then didn't for some reason.  I need to add it to my arsenal of tools.  Thanks reminding me.

I had mine out today for a little action...

thanks!

-Mario

I think 33 inch wheels would work fine on that car too.    And would require probably a little less shim.   

I have converted a bunch of the PS series cars and a couple of stock cars.    I really ilke the PS gons and flatcars.   I have ot stumbled onto to very many of the boxcars.  

I have also converted a long string of the GLa hoppers. 

I often use Athearn wheelsets in my conversions.    the fit is a little sloppy but on the older trucks with stamped bolsters, you can squeeze the bolster in a bit and get a good fit.   In either case they roll well.   

The GLas came with screws and holes drilled for Kadees and shim plate.    On the PS cars, I just line it up by site and drill the first hole.   then mount the box to locate and drill the second hole.    On the flat cars, I use a contact glue to glue the box on since there is not much material there.