Atlas vs Micro Trains 3 Bays

[rdg5308]

Many years ago JnJ Trains made an insert to replace the round metal weight.  It is less distracting than the original weight and made the car a little heavier.  As far as I know, no one else has marketed a similar part.

[High Hood]

@Lemosteam I can lend you one of my Atlas cars to get measurements from if you want.

[Mark5]

The part number is 294; Angle 1/8th inch.  After I cut the part for length, I use a pair of straight blade nail clippers to trim the ends to conform to the slope sheets.   I recommend cutting the part a tad longer than needed and test fit it until it looks good.
NSBob

That's a tip I can use too - thanks Bob!

[nkalanaga]

This would be an easy after-market part for Atlas to make, as well as an easy upgrade to the next run.  They wouldn't have to change the original tooling, just tool a new piece, sell it unpainted for those who want to upgrade older cars, and add it to the new bodies before painting them.

Add basic end details, for a six-piece improvement set, and they could have body mount couplers as well.  Center sill cover, (2) end frames, (2) coupler covers, and a basic brake detail casting. The brake detail could be left out, if they wanted to cut costs a little, and buyers could get that from MT.  Reuse the couplers from the truck-mounted ones, or install MT 1015s, as desired.

[John]

This could be a nice little project for someone with a 3D printer ..    to make those parts ..

[Mark5]

Probably a misprint.

Both diagrams for that hopper class show 36" wheels with a 5"-10" wheelbase.

Jason

This has to be the answer. The 100 ton cars made to N&W design at Hollidaysburg could not run on 33" wheels.

Mark

[nkalanaga]

John:  True, for a small run, but as many of these as Atlas has/will sell, injection molding would be cheaper in the long run.

[Ike the BN Freak]

Trainworx makes body mounted coupler parts for these cars. However I don't believe they come with any of the brake detail parts.

I for one would love to see someone come up with an "upgrade" kit for these cars, like nkalanaga mentioned, and maybe include 100 ton trucks, I'd prefer with metal wheelsets. I'd need about 150 or so, unless I downsize my hopper car fleet.

[Mark5]

Trainworx makes body mounted coupler parts for these cars. However I don't believe they come with any of the brake detail parts.

True, I had to add the brake detail:



Mark

[nkalanaga]

For the cost of the tooling, it might be better to leave the brake stuff out, and recommend buying it from MT. 

[High Hood]

I really like the idea of a full upgrade kit! Can’t forget to add some end bracing though.

[Ike the BN Freak]

For the cost of the tooling, it might be better to leave the brake stuff out, and recommend buying it from MT.

Personally I'd like to see a full upgrade kit.

As of right now, you have to get the following,

Trainworx body mount couplers
MT brake gear
100 ton trucks, whether its BLMA/Atlas or MT
and bits of styrene to make the center sill cover and end bracing.

I believe Trainworx could do the full kit, as they have the couplers, the brake rigging could probably come from the quad hoppers. They have 100 ton trucks, but believe theirs have the offset bolster hole, not sure if that is what is actually needed for these.

[nkalanaga]

The end bracing could very easily be made part of the end frame, either in plastic or 3D printed.

[Lemosteam]

Personally I'd like to see a full upgrade kit.

As of right now, you have to get the following,

Trainworx body mount couplers
MT brake gear
100 ton trucks, whether its BLMA/Atlas or MT
and bits of styrene to make the center sill cover and end bracing.

I believe Trainworx could do the full kit, as they have the couplers, the brake rigging could probably come from the quad hoppers. They have 100 ton trucks, but believe theirs have the offset bolster hole, not sure if that is what is actually needed for these.

This is EXACTLY what I will be doing, but...

I REALLY need to know how much to lower the car.

Also I do not have a conversion kit for the body mount. Can anyone mail one to me, preferably with brake parts on it already?

[Ike the BN Freak]

Also I do not have a conversion kit for the body mount. Can anyone mail one to me, preferably with brake parts on it already?

The trainworx body mounts don't come with any brake parts