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Maybe the cars I used were a bad batch of hole drilling but my experience was the forward hole lined up and the rear hole was about half a hole off of the Protocraft compared to the Kadees? I was using Intermountain cars and I just reamed the hole on the car and through bolted it. But the Kadee boxes were also a half hole off compared to the Protocrafts?

As far as the Atlas cars, as I mentioned in my other post, you can use the Protocraft coupler in the Atlas box if you don't want to drill new hole in your Atlas cars. I choose this route for now but will probably go back later and use the Protocraft boxes for uniformity.

I agree about painting the inside of the boxes. I wish they would have molded them in a matte black, but o'well, at least they made them.

"Are those all metal trucks?"

 

 

Hi Bob, Yeah those are SHS S scale trucks, some kind of die cast metal with coil springs. MTH bought out SHS a couple of years ago but hasn't done much with the product line. S is a lot smaller than O scale( when I first started modeling in S it seemed tiny compared to my O stuff but now it seems normal) but S will fit into spaces that O can't which means more to me these days because I'm tired of maintaining a house with a large space for trains. I find S a lot easier to work with than HO scale yet still small enough for a smaller space. A 40 foot O-27 hi cube scales out to be about a 53 foot S scale car, they are a bit wide so I slice them down the centerline with a radial arm saw and glue them back together, I have a blade that is the thickness of the material needing to be removed so it only takes one cut.....DaveB

I am on the periphery - when I was a kid I always liked the 2-rail aspect of S, and lately have admired the efforts to make S Scale a truly scale endeavor, with scale track, wheels, couplers, and even imported scale brass.  But I am stuck, because I truly like the more massive models in O Scale and 17/64 scale.

 

I am seriously impressed with Protocraft - they seem ready to bring a new level of realism to O Scale.  However, I would truly love to see the lower echelons of our hobby served with some die cast trucks similar to the Kadee HO offerings and those fine S Scale trucks you use.

 

I have to admit, though - I have so much "stuff" I will never be a part of the equation that enables new products to profitably make it in the marketplace.

"I am seriously impressed with Protocraft - they seem ready to bring a new level of realism to O Scale.  However, I would truly love to see the lower echelons of our hobby served with some die cast trucks similar to the Kadee HO offerings and those fine S Scale trucks you use.

 I have to admit, though - I have so much "stuff" I will never be a part of the equation that enables new products to profitably make it in the marketplace."

 

   Hi Bob, Yeah I think protocraft and the P-48 segment is a great way to model O scale in a smaller space, maybe a switching layout with everything built to fine scale standards. I've sold a lot of my O stuff over the years but am still keeping my P-48 wheels and trucks in case I decide to make another O small layout some day. With some searching it's possible to find some pretty nice older O trucks for runner cars, Some old Auel 17/64 trucks had lifting journal box covers so scale waste and oil could be inserted in them :> Also had a set of old Lionel trucks that had all the tiny prototypical writing molded into the sideframes as nice as any modern scale truck and these things were from the 1940's or earlier era.......DaveB 

@daveb posted:

   Hi Bob, Yeah I think protocraft and the P-48 segment is a great way to model O scale in a smaller space, maybe a switching layout with everything built to fine scale standards. I've sold a lot of my O stuff over the years but am still keeping my P-48 wheels and trucks in case I decide to make another O small layout some day. With some searching it's possible to find some pretty nice older O trucks for runner cars, Some old Auel 17/64 trucks had lifting journal box covers so scale waste and oil could be inserted in them :> Also had a set of old Lionel trucks that had all the tiny prototypical writing molded into the sideframes as nice as any modern scale truck and these things were from the 1940's or earlier era.......DaveB 

Resurrecting an oldie here:

I got this before the days of eBay, so I have no idea where it came from: is this one of those Lionel trucks?

63016302

...unfortunately, it's missing one journal box cover. 

And speaking of "Auel": I got a pair of these a while back. A previous owner had eliminated the springs and had shoved wood and glue in to hold them together. It was an easy fix, except the only springs I had were Kadee centering springs, so they are really (probably) too "soft"...but they do keep everything in place:

Auel

I did not realize they are 17/64": they're huge!  

Mark in Oregon

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Last edited by Strummer
@Strummer posted:

Resurrecting an oldie here: And speaking of "Auel": I got a pair of these a while back. A previous owner had eliminated the springs and had shoved wood and glue in to hold them together. It was an easy fix, except the only springs I had were Kadee centering springs, so they are really (probably) too "soft"...but they do keep everything in place:

How about Atlas coupler springs.  They are pretty stiff as compared to Kadee.

@bob2 posted:

Yeah - the 700 trucks and couplers were light years ahead of their time.  So far I have not captured any Auels with lifting journal box lids.  I am passively looking.

Somewhere I have one Auel three-axle Pullman-style truck with the opening lids; quite impressive. Having said that, I prefer Lobaugh trucks. Too bad Lobaugh did not last into the 100-ton roller-bearing era.

@daveb posted:

   Hi Bob, Yeah I think protocraft and the P-48 segment is a great way to model O scale in a smaller space, maybe a switching layout with everything built to fine scale standards. I've sold a lot of my O stuff over the years but am still keeping my P-48 wheels and trucks in case I decide to make another O small layout some day. With some searching it's possible to find some pretty nice older O trucks for runner cars, Some old Auel 17/64 trucks had lifting journal box covers so scale waste and oil could be inserted in them :> Also had a set of old Lionel trucks that had all the tiny prototypical writing molded into the sideframes as nice as any modern scale truck and these things were from the 1940's or earlier era.......DaveB 

Hi Dave! I fear I don't agree with that. Why in a smaller space? As long as you start it in P:48, size does not matter.

Sarah

@Sarah posted:

Hi Dave! I fear I don't agree with that. Why in a smaller space? As long as you start it in P:48, size does not matter.

Sarah

Actually it does if you have to hand lay your track.

I don't know what is out there these days in the way of pre-made p48 track (flex, turnouts, etc.), but if you have to hand lay everything, the size of your layout can be a big deal time wise.

Add to that, some folks just don't care to hand lay.

 I'm guessing that may be what Dave's issue is.

Simon

If I may weigh in here...

I agree with Sarah (to a point): if one has the $ and the time and space, it really doesn't matter what scale/gauge you choose.  

Having said that, Dave's strategy (small switching layout) might be all he has room for. If you look at the typical European approach (where space is usually at a premium), that same lack of space is what often gives raise to those wonderfully detailed scenes that are such a joy to behold,regardless of scale.

I know Protocraft offers code 125 flex track; turnouts may still have to be hand laid.

As in all things, whatever works for you is the "best approach"... 

Mark in Oregon

Both O Scale Turnouts and Signature Turnouts make P48 versions and in the later case will custom make them to fit just like they do for their OW5 offerings.  In both case there may be longer lead times.  Along with protocraft P48 flex, or more correctly bendable, track hand laying is not necessary.  I have a some semi (you need to add the ties) complete O scale Turnouts around here somewhere I'm not going to use if anyone is interested in them.  I think they're #6s but might be #8s.

It's all out there!

P:48 Flextrack 

Jay Criswell provides also all kinds of super detailing parts for your right of way

https://right-o-way.us/catalog...20Track-all%20guages

P:48 Turnouts

Bill McConnell does build wonderful stuff, very nicely stained ties. 

http://www.oscaleturnouts.com/...uts%20Information%20(3-1-20).pdf

Brad Strong can build you even P:48 double slip switches, I have just ordered one to try it out. Not on his website, just ask!

http://signatureswitchco.com

Hand laying your turnouts is easier than ever before using Fast Track's P:48 turnout jigs and tools

https://www.handlaidtrack.com/fixtures-p48-turnouts

 

As much as layout space is concerned, that is a given fact that we all deal with but it has no impact on the decision of track gauge. In fact, it was never easier to choose to model in P:48. Steam locomotives being the only thing that you might find a reason to carefully overthink the migration. Diesels can be converted far more easier. However, track is not a concern anymore.

Sarah

 

 

@Sarah posted:

 As much as layout space is concerned, that is a given fact that we all deal with but it has no impact on the decision of track gauge. In fact, it was never easier to choose to model in P:48. Steam locomotives being the only thing that you might find a reason to carefully overthink the migration. Diesels can be converted far more easier. However, track is not a concern anymore.

Sarah

...Exactly. 

And I'm with Simon regarding those photos... 

Mark in Oregon

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