Old style passenger trucks

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OddDuck
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Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:00 am
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Old style passenger trucks

Post by OddDuck »

Before I cast a bunch of sets of these, I'd like to gauge actual interest. They are a bit labor intensive for such a simple truck, and a fair amount of aluminum as well. The set would include 4 side frames and two bolsters, price would be $150 a set. Also, due to the size, if you want more than 1 set at a time it will have to be shipped FedEx.
I got the pattern in trade for a couple sets of castings, they are (roughly...) 1/8th scale for either 7 1/2" or 7 1/4" gauge. They appear to be passenger trucks of some sort.
Any takers?
Oh, the gating system is still attached in the pic, this was fresh (and still hot) out of the sand this afternoon. The bolster is the part in front.
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"If you took the bones out they wouldn't be crunchy!" -Monty Python's Flying Circus
Glenn Brooks
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Re: Old style passenger trucks

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Odduck,

Just a bit of background regarding your castings. Indeed they are passenger car trucks from circa 1900. Except that in those days the frames were wood, oak usually, and the vertical horseshoe shaped axle bearing journals were through bolted to the top side timber. Also, at least on the car I am familiar with - Benjamin Dillinghams Oahu Railway 36” narrow gauge Personal parlor car, the springs were supported also with coil spring suspension. Not to say other RR’s didn’t make them only with leaf springs, but the frames were definitely wood. Shortly thereafter, maybe 1910’ish Bettendorf started making all steel cast trucks, which morphed into what we generally see on many live steam rolling stock today.

Your castings could certainly model the era from late 1880’s to early 1900’s.

Here’s a couple of pics of the Dillngham car, just after restoration in summer, 2019.

As you can see, pretty much a dead ringer.

Glenn
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Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

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OddDuck
Posts: 434
Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:00 am
Location: Somewhere south of Mt. Katahdin
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Re: Old style passenger trucks

Post by OddDuck »

If you look close at my pic, you can see that it's supposed to model that same "pedestal" and "beam" configuration. I have no idea if the pattern I refurbished a bit was of a particular prototype or not. More of a "type", I guess. There isn't much room for it, but I think coil springs could be added for a more modern look. This is a pretty simple truck, really, the side frames are attached to the bolster by a single bolt and allowed to pivot. Pretty beefy, too, I think a full set is almost 15 pounds of aluminum. The beam is around 3/4" thick.
I'll have to cast the other side and put one together to show.
"If you took the bones out they wouldn't be crunchy!" -Monty Python's Flying Circus
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PRR5406
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Re: Old style passenger trucks

Post by PRR5406 »

Actually, what we need are some ALCO style type "B" trucks.
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
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