I order some delta trailing trucks from Model Power. I got them today and was shocked to see they didnt include wheelsets! On top of that they charged me $15 to ship a couple of ounces of plastic in the small plastic bag. Is that what you normally get when you order the delta trailing truck from MP?
Coming with no wheelset is normal. That is the way they come in the Undecorated loco's. You swap the wheels from the existing truck into the delta. The shipping is rough, the last time I ordered, it was around 8-10 though. How many did you order? I seem to remember something like $7 + $1 for each additional part.
Sorry- I'm not up on steam. What is a delta truck? Is that the single truck under the cab of a 2-8-2? Maybe called delta because it is in the shape of a triangle?
The Delta truck was a built up on a cast frame instead of a fabricated sub frame like earlier trailing trucks. This helped if the truck was to carry a booster for more starting power but not all Deltas had boosters. The Delta was distinguished from other cast frames because of an inverted-rocker centering device at the rear ends of the truck frame. They could be found on Pacific, Mikado, Atlantic and Mountain class steam locomotives. Sometimes 4 wheel and 6 wheel tucks of the same design were also referred to as Delta Trucks.
Seems just a bit steep to me. I get stuff shipped at the typical USPS flat rate priority mail for about $7.50 whether it is 10 parts or 2 parts. I can't even remember my order for two locos plus some parts coming to more than that and it was certainly heavier than those trucks.
I have heard of mfgs charging outrageous shipping charges for small orders. That is why normally when I order something, I usually stock up on parts that I think I may need in the future. I usually deal with Atlas, and have never felt like Atlas charged excessively for shipping. The only issue with Atlas is I think they have a minimum order policy of $15, which is really no big deal if you are stocking up on your parts. A small $1 here and another $1.50 item there, it all adds up quick.
According to the parts page on their web site- min. shipping is $9 up to $9.99 value. Graduated after that by parts-value. At $75 worth, you hit $15 shipping. Above that, 15% of order. I believe I saw another shipping chart elsewhere on their site that is even higher...
Not sure, I modified them for needle point wheel sets and used the Kato Mikado axle in the couple I have done so far. It is a little larger diameter than the Model Power. I also have a bunch of old Rapido axles that fit in them to use. Its more about finding the right diameter spoked wheel what worrying about theirs.
So Russel... are you saying there is some kind of motor on that trailing truck??? I never knew that. I always thought it's purpose was to support the weight of the firebox/cab.
The primary purpose of the trailing truck was to support a larger firebox and to help guide the locomotive when it was backing up. In addition to that some railroads added a booster which was a small piston driven steam mechanism that would help provide traction to get a train moving.
