MT conversions

[untabubba]

I'm looking for some practical experience to help me begin my quest to convert many of my favorite cars from Rapido to MTs. I'm thinking it might be easier and better to just "swap out" the whole truck, rather than engage in hand-to-hand combat with those darn little springs! To that end I went looking and found there are quite a few types of trucks. How do I know which to use? Is there a prototypical protocol, or is it a matter of "taste"? Will they all fit? Also, I went, numbers in hand, to a very good LHS. I didn't tell the guy I had the numbers. I wanted to see what he would give me. Sure enough, he gave me a different number! I divulged the number I got from the MT website. He said they'd both work. I took the ones HE suggested and it was a breeze! No alterations required at all. So, what's up with THAT?? I'd appreciate any suggestions, stories or help anyone can give. Marc

[ginzokid]

I don't freakin' believe it! I just spent 20 minutes with a long answer and it's not here! Screw this site! B-)

[ginzokid]

Marc, look it up yourself on the web site. B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, I DID! I don't know a Bettendorf from a whatever and you guys are the only "train friends" I have! Pete, Is there something wrong? You sound bugged. You don't HAVE to "ride herd" on us 24/7. If you need to "talk", let somebody know! BTW: My brother sends me "curt" responses about long-winded replies that he "lost". Must be something you 60-somethingd do!! ]:) 😉 😄 :x Marc

[connrail]

My own experience with MT products when I had N gauge was to completely change the truck/ coupler assembly for each car. The MT's roll nice & free and trying to attach the premade coupler & box as a body mount was no picnic. What year you model on your layout will serve as a rough guide as to what truck style you should use. Bettendorf trucks were used from the 1930's to near the end of the 1960's. In 1968, roofwalks were being removed and Bettendorf trucks changed over to roller bearing style. By 1980, most cars had been changed over- the exception being gondolas. There were a number of them still rolling along through the 1990's. Hope this helps. I do have some data sheets listing specifically when changes were made. Let me look up info on the trucks and maybe give some more detailed info. Tommy

[trmwf]

Marc, To make it easy for you go with the following: If you run steam you can use the friction bearing and/or Bettendorf trucks If you run early diesels F units GP-9's early alco's etc you can use both friction and roller bearing Late model diesels use roller bearing. You can also check out the built date on the side of your cars and if it was built prior to the late 50's use the bettendorfs. Cars built inlate fifties to present use the roller bearing. That does not mean that a car built in 1940 that you are still using in your modern layout cannot have roller bearings as they would have been added during rebuilds of the car in later years. prof

[janesew]

That's one of the nicest things about MT cars. They come with a history of the prototype including built dates and service/rebuilt dates. It's roofwalks for me and tell-tales before tunnels. F

[trmwf]

Fred, I too like the older stuff, just more character. Don't forget the tell-tales before overhead bridges, signal masts etc and make sure they are plenty in advance to give the poor guy a chance to get off the top off the car. prof

[janesew]

Prof, I cut my finger putting on a rail joiner once (not using one of Pete's handy tools) and I got a bit of blood on one of my portals. In my mind I came up with the scenario that the "poor guy" forgot to duck and this was the evidence. It's very dramatic on my pike! ;\ F

[trmwf]

Marc, Forgot to answer..yes, they will all fit regardless and I'm betting no one but you will ever notice what kind of truck you have under that 1940's car. Just make sure you get the short shanks unless they are going under a long car like a piggyback or something. Not for sure but you might need medium shanks for something like 60 foot cars. I don't have any so I can't help you for sure. prof

[70novahound]

Fred, That sounds gory, I wonder how many times it really happened before they put the warning devices up! CJ

[janesew]

... or just removed the d a n g roofwalks. F

[beastranger]

prof and Tommy Thanks for the great information! Another modeling mystery solved for those of us that are informationaly challanged! Punk

[ginzokid]

Marc, Go to www.kadee.com and click on HO scale, then scroll down to "trucks&..". You will find a listing of the trucks they make and a brief history of each prototype. The MT site has similar, but not as thorough, information in the "products" area of their site. B-)

[untabubba]

Thanks everyone for the info. Prof, I model early to mid diesel, I guess. I have a Class J as my only steam loco. It's a Bachmann and runs like one! It may end up being a "static display", because it IS cool looking. I have a bunch of FAs, Es, GPs, SDs, SWs and stuff I'm forgetting. I have some more modern stuff too. (2 Dashes come to mind) I guess my main concern was whether any truck actually fit, or would I have to pay close attention to "match them up". Most of my boxcars are the 40' type. There's a pretty good mix of hoppers, gondolas and tanks as well. I'll pick up a set of Bettendorfs and give it a whirl. Pete, That Kadee website was very instructive. It seems like the Bettendorfs were pretty long lived. Introduced in the thirties and ran through '93! That ought to about cover me! (Ain't no rivet-counters allowed in MY house!) :D Tommy, Thanks and welcome back! We missed your input. Your post was very helpful. You mention roller bearing style. Do you have a manufacturer name? (like Bettendorf...not MT.) How would I recognize the difference? Marc