Con Cor RDC truck length

[scaro]

Told these are rather longer than the Kato one's trucks, had the figure of 18.5mm wheelbase in my head.  Is this right?

I'm thinking of the Roco manufactured units, for Con-Cor (now rather ancient but looking for one to buy.)

Ben

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just so happen to have one. Here it is with the calipers.

This is measured from the inside of the axels.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Missaberoad]

Your calipers are in English not 'Murca! 

[peteski]

IIRC, scaro is from the "land down under", so he can deal with those oddball measurements.  But without knowing the diameter of the axles, we really don't know the actual axle spacing, do we?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

IIRC, scaro is from the "land down under", so he can deal with those oddball measurements.  But without knowing the diameter of the axles, we really don't know the actual axle spacing, do we?

I was concerned about that. But I think the answer there is "close enough" so lets go with the remembered 18.5mm.

I do want to ask... why looking for the Con-Cor RDCs instead of the Kato ones?

[peteski]

I was concerned about that. But I think the answer there is "close enough" so lets go with the remembered 18.5mm.

I do want to ask... why looking for the Con-Cor RDCs instead of the Kato ones?

If you read his question it appears that he thinks that the Con-Cor (Roco) RDC trucks have longer wheelbase than Kato trucks.  But in the photo you posted they do not appear to be very long.

Metal axles could be 0.8, 1.0, or 1.2 mm diameter. Probably 1mm.

[thomasjmdavis]

According to my trusty C&EI diagram DVD, the wheelbase of their RDC-1 was 8'6" (102").  In N scale, that is 0.6375" or about 16.2mm.  Which (not a big surprise) is the measurement that I get when I measure the bearing centers on my Kato model.

Now, I have no idea whether all RDC's used the same truck, but the Kato truck does appear to be a good match to the one particular RDC I am modeling.

[Santa Fe Guy]

IIRC, scaro is from the "land down under", so he can deal with those oddball measurements.  But without knowing the diameter of the axles, we really don't know the actual axle spacing, do we?

Easy on the "odd ball measurements" you guys are probably the only ones still using old fangled imperial, however if you are my age you can handle both.

[peteski]

Easy on the "odd ball measurements" you guys are probably the only ones still using old fangled imperial, however if you are my age you can handle both.

LOL, I was just kidding.  I grew up in Poland, so, I'm well versed with the metric system. But I also have to admit that I have gotten quite comfortable with the silly Imperial system being used in USA.

[Steveruger45]

If you want axle spacing just measure from outside on one to inside on the other.

[Missaberoad]

Easy on the "odd ball measurements" you guys are probably the only ones still using old fangled imperial, however if you are my age you can handle both.

We use both North of the border... Depends on what you are measuring... And they still use both over in England...

At work we use all imperial, the Railroads love their Freedom units! 😁

[OldEastRR]

If anyone is concerned with the original question, the answer is the Con-Cor trucks are WAAAY longer than the KATO. I'm using N scale feet as units, which the only OFFICIAL measurement around here ---
KATO axle center to axle center: 8.5 scale feet
ConCor axle center to axles center: 10 scale feet

As to the irrelevant question "Why don't you just use KATO?" , because if you want to run a multi-car RDC hook=up it is very expensive to buy all powered units. Using dummy ConCor units makes sense. In my operating scheme. I have an RDC "train" pull into a dead-end branch, and leave behind a dummy RDC as it continues on its route. When running the other way the powered unit picks up the dummy and away they go. (I have a multi-unit RDC set, so I have more than one dummy)
For a while KATO was selling RDC shells (and a lot of associated components for it, including interior, windows, doors, and engine blister) very cheap. When the project I was going to use them for got cancelled, I found I could use the KATO shells on the ConCor dummies by just slightly lengthening the ConCor plastic dummy chassis. At the same time I cut off the molded-on stairs and coupler pocket from each ConCor truck and mounted them to the frame. So all my RDCs look like KATOs, same body, same windows, same detail level, for excellent effect.

[peteski]

If anyone is concerned with the original question, the answer is the Con-Cor trucks are WAAAY longer than the KATO. I'm using N scale feet as units, which the only OFFICIAL measurement around here ---
KATO axle center to axle center: 8.5 scale feet
ConCor axle center to axles center: 10 scale feet

Aha!  A definitive answer!

As to the irrelevant question "Why don't you just use KATO?" , because if you want to run a multi-car RDC hook=up it is very expensive to buy all powered units. Using dummy ConCor units makes sense. In my operating scheme.

While what you mentioned makes perfect sense, I seem to recall that scaro actually models TT scale narrow gauge, and is always looking for N scale mechanisms he can use for his TT scale models.  That is why he is asking unusual questions.

Also, few years back Kato apparently dumped all the remaining RDC stock and they were sold dirt cheap in several places (like Trainland).  I bought bunch of complete Kato RDCs for something like IIRC  $30 or $40 each! It was a fire sale for sure!

[craigolio1]

Yep. I stocked up too. Not even sure how many I have. But I know I have 3 concor units that I don’t plan to use. @scaro PM me if you would like to help me re-settle some.

Craig.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

If anyone is concerned with the original question, the answer is the Con-Cor trucks are WAAAY longer than the KATO. I'm using N scale feet as units, which the only OFFICIAL measurement around here ---
KATO axle center to axle center: 8.5 scale feet
ConCor axle center to axles center: 10 scale feet

As to the irrelevant question "Why don't you just use KATO?" , because if you want to run a multi-car RDC hook=up it is very expensive to buy all powered units. Using dummy ConCor units makes sense. In my operating scheme. I have an RDC "train" pull into a dead-end branch, and leave behind a dummy RDC as it continues on its route. When running the other way the powered unit picks up the dummy and away they go. (I have a multi-unit RDC set, so I have more than one dummy)
For a while KATO was selling RDC shells (and a lot of associated components for it, including interior, windows, doors, and engine blister) very cheap. When the project I was going to use them for got cancelled, I found I could use the KATO shells on the ConCor dummies by just slightly lengthening the ConCor plastic dummy chassis. At the same time I cut off the molded-on stairs and coupler pocket from each ConCor truck and mounted them to the frame. So all my RDCs look like KATOs, same body, same windows, same detail level, for excellent effect.

I have a 3-pack (1x powered, 2x dummy) of Con-Cor RDCs that I plan to do something similar with. The MBTA used de-powered RDCs as coaches in the 80s, some of which retained the humps on the roof. The Con-Cors are a much cheaper starting point for this project, though I may keep the motor in the powered unit so I can still operate a RDC train.

How did you cut off the pilots/stairs and mount them to the chassis? I was thinking of using a Zona saw and then screwing the pilot assemblies to the body with counter-sunk screws to avoid any fouling.