New Guy Needs Help!

As for the Legacy wire, I connect mine to the common transformer terminal,  You don't have to run it to the track.

It looks like the Atlas car has their scale couplers.  I think you're going to have to swap out the trucks.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.  Lots of good information here.

-Steven

So I'm guessing the scale couplers (the smaller ones) are really just for looks then?  They don't appear to be very sturdy. 

Regarding the trucks, this is for a scale 40 ft. boxcar.  Is there a particular size I should use or are all trucks the same size?  Would the trucks have to be Atlas or could I use MTH/Lionel trucks?

I only have 6 Menards tanker cars and an Atlas O 68 ft. flatcar for reference as I've only been into the hobby for a couple months now.  So much to learn!  So many questions.

Also, if I setup my Legacy Controller to have the ability to run conventional trains, does it in anyway enhance thier performance?  I've heard that it helps TMCC engines a bit.  What about conventional?  My first locomotive purchasewas a post war Lionel 602 switcher.  I kinda like the uber loud Pullman motor and would enjoy running it every now and then. 

Atlas makes a complete 3 rail truck that you can bolt right on that will have the large coupler your looking for. They retail for $24.95 and can be purchased from most any of the website sponsors at the top, We normally keep them but out of stock. You can also make a post in the For Sale/Trade section on this site willing to trade 2 rail trucks for 3 rail and may just cost you a couple dollars in postage if someone is looking to trade.

Good luck and when your ready to add some details to your layout, check out our website http://www.scalecitydesigns.com

Marty

Thanks guys for your help.  Marty, I'll definately hit you up when I get to the decorating phase.  As you can see in the pic below, I'll be getting to the decorating phase shortly. 

Like most O-scale two-rail rolling stock, the couplers on your Atlas C&NW Stock Car are mounted on the body at a "coupler box" - not mounted on the trucks like Lionel and MTH and other O-gauge three-rail cars.  Lionel (and MTH) three-rail trucks can be purchased separately as a pair.  IMHO, the fully-sprung die-cast trucks look best. Installing them on an Atlas O-scale car may require some clever maneuvering for mounting them -- removing the coupler box with a Dremel tool (for necessary clearance) and attaching the Lionel (or MTH) trucks to the car body with appropriate-size mounting screws; either from the bottom up or from the top down. This pesky task could add naughty words to your vocabulary.

Mike
(ritrainguy)

Ahh, I see.  So the scale couplers came on this then I'm guessing?  Would the Atlas trucks fit there nicely or would I have to still dremel off that coupler box?

Personally, I would just hang onto the stock car 'as-is' and purchase some other 3 rail cars. You only have $10 in it and it appears to be very nice. Someone may be willing to trade you a 3 rail car for it rather than to go to all the trouble and expense to change out the couplers and trucks!

Should also point out that the OP's photo show the stock car to be the old 1970's era Atlas equipment with the plastic trucks--it just happens to have upgraded wheels and a newer AtlasO-era scale coupler installed.

---PCJ

Hmm.  I already ordered a new set of Atlas trucks for it.  Hopefully I won't have to cut the box off.  But if I do, no problemo.  I also noticed the car was manufactured in Austria which is pretty cool.  So I figured, why not spend the $25 and "upgrade" it?  After all, it is a gorgeous piece with some really nice detailing. 

This will also be a good opportunity for me to tinker around with a piece of rolling stock as i haven't actually needed to do that yet.  Should be fun performing the disassemble/reassemble.

The trucks on that early Atlas car are held on with plastic pins. When the pins are pulled out to remove the old trucks, you will be left with oversized holes that will have to be plugged with pieces of dowel (wood or plastic),  and then re-drilled for the Atlas truck mounting screws. 

Also those cars have a plastic bolster built into the under frame. Just adding Atlas 3 rail trucks will result in the body sitting very high above the trucks. Weaver trucks are a better replacement on those cars. To use the Atlas trucks, you may want to remove the cast in bolster to lower the car on the trucks. Final height adjustment can then be made by adding appropriate washers between the truck and frame.

...and, yes, you will have to remove those coupler pockets. The cover is pried off with a small screwdriver to expose the screws that hold it to the body.

It's good that you are willing to learn some new modeling skills and do some tinkering. It's a fun part of the hobby for many of us. 

Jim

Just to clarify a point that was alluded to:

This Atlas car was made by Roco in Austria in the 1970s for the two-rail market in O scale. The original wheels and couplers were replaced, so what you are seeing is a coupler intended for scale operations. It isn't "for show."

I like those cars, especially the ore cars. But to make the, work for three-rail featuring common couplers, you'll need to replace everything underneath, like others have suggested, plus you'll probably need to add some weight to those cars.

You bought a 2-rail car with scale trucks and couplers. They are very sturdy and reliable if you are a 2-railer. all you need to do is remove the trucks, then replace with 3-rail trucks of your liking. You may have to shim them. I have an old Atlas ore car that came with the old style trucks that I swapped out with Weaver trucks and it works fine. I did have to add a washer to get the clearance right.