Updating old rolling stock (trucks/wheels/couplers)

[N_DaveS]

Dear colleagues,

Over the past couple of years I have returned to N scale after a 20+ year hiatus. My under-construction layout uses Atlas code 55 track, but my collection of early-80s rolling stock (mostly Atlas with a few MT thrown in) somehow has failed to update itself with RP25 wheels and MT couplers.

After a lot of poring through RW threads and other sites, it appears that a common practice is to body-mount MT couplers and use Fox Valley or similar wheelsets, presumably mounted in the original trucks.

Since my current trucks include (Rapido) couplers, I am presuming that I will need to replace them with coupler-less trucks, then swap out the wheelsets, then body-mount couplers.

Because it involves more steps than I had originally envisioned, I'd like to hear from the collective wisdom here as to whether this approach is 1) normal and 2) a reasonably good path to take. In either case, I am also open to suggestion/recommendation as far as trucks/wheels/methods/etc.

I am modeling the transition era and am not the most exacting rivet-counter, so I am presuming Bettendorf-type trucks would be appropriate for freight cars. Maximum train length will be 10 cars or so, if that has any bearing on performance issues between body-mounted and truck-mounted couplers.

I fully realize that I am combining several often-contentious subjects into a single post, so if there are any FAQs or existing threads on any or all of these areas, I will be happy to be directed to them and save us all from rehashing.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Dave S.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you're contemplating body mounting couplers, you can probably just keep the existing trucks as long as they'll accept lo-pro wheels of some variety.

I think knowing the manufacturer of some of the equipment will be helpful in getting you the right wheelsets for them.

[johnhale]

Dave,
   What I did for my old Atlas rolling stock was to just replace the trucks with MT low profile trucks with premounted mt couplers (1028's I think). I did not try to convert to body mounted couplers.

   I then started purchasing some new rolling stock and just made sure that everything I bought had body mount couplers and low profile wheels. So I am slowly going to phase out the old truck mounted couplers through attrition.

Just a thought.

[Philip H]

I have been working to get either Fox Valley Models or Intermountain lo-pro wheels in my older trucks, and I long ago managed to switch to all knuckle couplers (MT, Accumate, McHenry).  I do generally swap the Atlas roller-bearing trucks with lo pro wheels for many older trucks with rapido couplers.

I may get to the point where everything is BLMA trucks and body-mounted Full Throttle z scale couplers.  But it will be slow going.

[DrifterNL]

Could be of some use (post 1 & 7) -> http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthread.php?18130-Trucks-(Metal)-Wheel-Sets-Couplers.-A-Little-Info

[noblerot]

If you keep your trains short to 10 cars as you mention truck mounted couplers should not be a problem for you. Where they tend to be a problem is backing long trains especially with tight curves. I do body mount most of my rolling stock but still have some truck mounted where I think it is the most reliable option. For instance, on some old MDC tank cars that I upgraded with GMM details and 36" BLMA wheels. My preference is Fox Valley wheels with MT or stock trucks or BLMA wheels and trucks. I am also just starting to use MT Z scale couplers. I do have many MT N scale couplers that will work with the Z scale.

[N_DaveS]

Thanks so much for the useful information! I should have mentioned that in addition to the relatively short (10 car) train lengths, there are a couple of 12"-radius curves, although coupling/uncoupling will most likely take place on either straight sections or gentler curves.

Based on the responses I am leaning toward truck-mounted couplers with FVM wheelsets, but I may experiment with different methods on a few sets of cars and see what happens.

Now, about that Code 40 track... I keed! I keed!

[noblerot]

I have a small HCD layout with some 12" radius turns. I recently was experimenting with backing 2 Deluxe twinstacks (5 cars each with truck mounted couplers on the ends and BLMA trucks on the rest) around the layout at different speeds to check for track problems(ME code 55 flex, Peco turnouts). I then started adding cars to it and didn't have any problems up to about 18-20 (counting the stacks) cars and then only at higher than normal speeds. Also I had some light cars with some heavy cars which adds to problems. When I used only properly weighted cars  I was able to back 20 cars at low steady speeds without derailing most of the time. When it did derail it was always the first truck the 2 locomotives were pushing that would skew.

[wm3798]

There's more to updating your rolling stock than just the trucks and couplers...


I replaced the old fat Atlas walk board with a somewhat better MT part...



Or a better looking brass one...



Or I yank the walkway off altogether, and plug the holes in the roof and cut back the ladders.

And if you have an old basket case like this:


You can do some nip and tuck work to end up with something like this:


Added on detail parts, a splash of paint and some decals can go a long way toward improving the old stuff.  With a little care, you can sneak them into the consist with those nice new expensive cars, and no one is any the wiser...

Lee

[Philip H]

Actually Lee, given your skills, we WANT to be the wiser, and generally nod approvingly as they roll past.