Quality craft wood caboose kit at&sf windows

PSC had some stunning one piece archbar caboose castings.

I am just now realizing that arch bar trucks come in different size wheel bases, why?  Is this for a logging operation vs a larger mainline railroad?  Looking again at the arch bar trucks I got from athern, they seemed tiny initially, especially when next to the 3 rail caboose trucks from atlas.  The athern measure out to 5’ center axle to center axle, is that the right size for Atsf caboose mentioned above and a NP 24’ wood caboose or should I be looking for a larger truck?  When under the caboose they look tiny to me ( truck on the right) , but maybe that is my 3 rail roots influencing me?  The plastic athern trucks have no bearings on them just plastic, besides the added drag, can one actually wear out one of the these trucks over the years?  I appreciate the education from others on this.

I would use the Athearns.  If you want fantastic detail, PSC has leaf spring arch bars for relative cheap.  You need wheels, and drilling skills.

There were lots of different arch bar designs - in addition to wheelbases, the bottom bar may or may not drop down.  Journal box lids were different from one to the next.  Not sure I have any useful photos, but I will look.

Yeah, found the PSC castings.  See above.

Don't know who did these - maybe Thomas?  Note the bottom bar.  Also, Lionel did a passingly good arch bar truck for the 717 caboose.  I think they cast more for the 6-18000 repro switcher.  Might be able to buy them from parts stores?

@Hump Yard Mike posted:

I am just now realizing that arch bar trucks come in different size wheel bases, why?  Is this for a logging operation vs a larger mainline railroad?

There were many different versions of archbar trucks; different years and weight capacities, and different applications.

Looking again at the arch bar trucks I got from athern, they seemed tiny initially, especially when next to the 3 rail caboose trucks from atlas.

The 3 rail caboose trucks from atlas are probably a much more modern arch bar and quite probably oversize, too

The athern measure out to 5’ center axle to center axle, is that the right size for Atsf caboose mentioned above and a NP 24’ wood caboose or should I be looking for a larger truck?  When under the caboose they look tiny to me ( truck on the right) , but maybe that is my 3 rail roots influencing me?  

Probably just that - those roots..... 

The plastic athern trucks have no bearings on them just plastic, besides the added drag, can one actually wear out one of the these trucks over the years?

They are Delrin and will outlast much of humanity.  Drag?  Put metal wheelsets in them and drag is next to zero. Delrin is not quite teflon, but it's seriously slippery stuff.