Atlas C-630 Question

[spookshow]

I have the following statement on my website -

One note on the C-630 - the "Tri-Mount" trucks on the Atlas model are only prototypical for a few American roads (Reading, for example). Most American C-630s were actually equipped with "Hi-Ad" trucks (or so I've been told).

I'm 99% sure I picked up that tidbit of information here, but I just got an email from someone who tells me that it's incorrect/backwards. So, who am I to believe?

Thanks,
-Mark

[C855B]

Tri-Mounts were used on 628s and 630s. The Hi-Ad bogies mostly came about on C636s, with a handful of Canadian-built models having Dofasco high-traction trucks. Whoever was telling you that C630s used Hi-Ads was likely thinking 636s.

It is possible (I can't find documentation, however) that a 630 or two received Hi-Ads after the fact, but that to me is doubtful because three-axle Hi-Ads weren't exactly a successful design.

[spookshow]

So that statement on my website should just be eliminated, right? It sounds like the model has the correct trucks (for the most part) and all the rest is just obscure trivia.

Thanks,
-Mark

[thomasjmdavis]

The 1973 vintage Second Diesel Spotters Guide on my shelf has photos of ACL and N&W units with tri-mount trucks.  Also a photo of a PGE, listed as the last ones built- but taken at a steep angle, so difficult to see what the trucks look like (well, for me, anyway).  The caption goes on to say: "Subsequent orders  with C-630 machinery in Canada were in the modified car body designated model M-630. Canadian C-630s after August 1967 have newer style MLW trucks, as do these units."  The page for the M-630 and the C-636 clearly shows the different trucks noted by C855B.

[wazzou]

So that statement on my website should just be eliminated, right? It sounds like the model has the correct trucks (for the most part) and all the rest is just obscure trivia.

Thanks,
-Mark

All of the Southern Pacific 628/630 units had Tri-Mounts.
I agree that most were equipped that way.

[u36b]

C&O 2100 and some Reading (5307-5311) C630s had Hi-Ad trucks :

One note on the C-630 - the "Tri-Mount" trucks on the Atlas model are only prototypical for a few American roads (Reading, for example). Most American C-630s were actually equipped with "Hi-Ad" trucks (or so I've been told).

should be : The C-630 - the "Hi-Ad"  trucks  are only prototypical for a few American roads (Reading, C&O). Most American C-630s were equipped with "Tri-Mount" trucks like the Atlas model.

Stephan

[spookshow]

Thanks everyone.

-Mark

[Mark5]

The 1973 vintage Second Diesel Spotters Guide on my shelf has photos of ACL and N&W units with tri-mount trucks.

Half of the N&W C630s ran on former FM Trainmaster trucks, the other half had typical Alco tri-mounts.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Half of the N&W C630s ran on former FM Trainmaster trucks, the other half had typical Alco tri-mounts.

Talk about doubling down on doomed diesels!

[C855B]

Half of the N&W C630s ran on former FM Trainmaster trucks, the other half had typical Alco tri-mounts.

Ah! I recalled there were 630s running on trade-in trucks, but was hard-pressed to remember whose. Thanks for the reminder!

[lock4244]

The 1973 vintage Second Diesel Spotters Guide on my shelf has photos of ACL and N&W units with tri-mount trucks.  Also a photo of a PGE, listed as the last ones built- but taken at a steep angle, so difficult to see what the trucks look like (well, for me, anyway).  The caption goes on to say: "Subsequent orders  with C-630 machinery in Canada were in the modified car body designated model M-630. Canadian C-630s after August 1967 have newer style MLW trucks, as do these units."  The page for the M-630 and the C-636 clearly shows the different trucks noted by C855B.

Second generation MLW built six axles for the Canadian market were C630M, M630, M636, and M630W, and all came with the Dofasco truck. This includes CN units built before August of '67. Iirc the C630M was a Montreal version of the C630, hence the M, while the M630/636 were MLW's take on the ALCO models. Pictures of Atlas N scale models are the only way to see a Canadian six axle 'ALCO' with tri-mounts.

MLW did build a single RSD-17 with tri-mounts. As well, 35 RSC-13's and four RSC-24's were built with an A-1-A version of the tri-mount. Several RSC-13's were converted to B-B trucks by removing the idler center axle and the result was interesting. All were converted back to A-1-A and in the mid 70's their trucks went under RS-18's to become RSC-14's... but these are all first generation diesels.

[lock4244]

For those curious about a four axle tri-mount...

http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=13113&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

[Mark5]

Talk about doubling down on doomed diesels!

Haha yeah! At least they were able to use them until 1985 or 1986 though.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For those curious about a four axle tri-mount...

http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=13113&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

That's some uncanny valley ***** right there man.