MTL Commonwealth Trucks

[BCR 570]

Hi

Wondering if someone can provide be a wheelbase in scale feet and inches for the MTL Commonwealth freight truck (distance between outer axles).

Thx

Tim

[bbussey]

The freight truck ... are you referring to the six-wheel truck used for the depressed center flatcar, or the truck used for the DODX flatcar?

[BCR 570]

Not familiar with the DODX trucks; so likely the six-wheel trucks.  I assumed the depressed centre flatcars had Buckeyes but if Commonwealth six-wheel, then I have one here.   

Thank you,

Tim

[mu26aeh]

The buckeye trucks do not fit the depressed center flats, I think the bolster is at the wrong spot IIRC.  I was going to change over my CSX flat but they don't work for it.

[bbussey]

There are two buckeye trucks. One for the depressed center and one for the DODX. There is at least one Commonwealth six wheel truck, for the depressed center.

[peteski]

Let's not forged Spookshow's truck web pasge.  It shows all those 3-axle trucks, but no dimensions.

http://spookshow.net/trucks/trucks.php

[BruceStikkers]

I just measured mine and 11' is what I got with a scale ruler.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

[BCR 570]

Thank you all; looking for a way to represent the rear truck on a Sperry rail car which I estimate to have wheel base of 10'-8", so not far off.

The trucks under my CN depressed centre flat are more like 9'-0" so must the Buckeyes.


Tim

[BCR 570]

I checked the MTL Commonwealth freight trucks at the LHS today and am getting a wheel base of around 9'-0" for those too.  I need something closer to 11'-0" (actually 10'-8").

Tim

[chessie system fan]

Does it need to be Commonwealth or do you mainly care about the wheelbase? Micro trains heavyweight trucks (the old original kind with couplers) are a hair over ten feet.

The newer heavyweight trucks (without couplers and 36"  wheels) is eleven feet.

[Angus Shops]

By pure chance I was glancing through my copy of “Canadian Pacific Color Guide…” and it mentions on page 93 that CP’s depressed center flatcars use General Steel Casting ‘Commonwealth’ 3 axle trucks with 4’-6” axle spacing and 30” wheels.

I have MT’s more recent 3 axle passenger trucks with 11 foot outer to outer axle spacing, and the older 3 axle style with a 10 foot outer to outer. I’m no expert but I think these would be described as “bottom equalized commonwealth” type trucks - if they don’t match entirely ( and I think the freight type differ from the passenger type by not having the elliptical spring) maybe you can modify. I have plenty of the 10 foot long truck frames if you want to mess around with them.

[chessie system fan]

Actually, since this is for something that runs, I'd recommend using a Kato passenger car truck for the electrical pickup. They have a 3-axle truck that's probably close to the correct length.

[BCR 570]

Thank you all; dont care too much about the type of truck as I will be deleting the centre axle and modifying with the Sperry detection gear.

The newer MTL passenger trucks have an offset bolster hole so probably wouldnt go with those.  Will look into the Kato ones.

Would like to get as close as possible to the 10'-8" wheel base.

Tim

[Mark5]

Tim,

Are you kitbashing a Bmann Doodlebug for the Sperry or what?

Thanks!

Mark

[BCR 570]

No; thinking of scratchbuilding one and using either the Bachmann mechanism or a Tomix one.  Been pouring over drawings this past week as well as a Walthers HO car.

Tim