Replacement Trucks w/ Coupler for Atlas Trainman Caboose

trainsbybob Jun 7, 2019

  1. trainsbybob

    trainsbybob TrainBoard Member

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    Hello All,

    Just got into N scale and started collecting different pieces of rolling stock.

    Recently I purchased an Atlas Trainman? ATSF “SPSF Merger” caboose from the interwebs. Unfortunately the caboose came with a broken coupler. Not a real big issue at the moment, but after looking at pictures of the prototype, I began thinking about how to make it a tad more realistic.

    The question I’m wondering is: would using the Microtrains Bettendorf trucks with extended shank Part #003 02 024 (1002) work to give me the look of the prototype?
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  2. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    It might be a bit better looking, but really you need to body mount them in an extended position. A brass or styrene strip would expend it enough to look prototypical. But beware. I can't see the class of caboose from the photo, but if you can find out that, I can look it up in one of the several ASTF caboose books I have. It is one of the cabooses that were rebuilt in the west Wichita shops. Iy will be of the CE class. Then I can answer perhaps what type of trucks they had. Many cabooses had special trucks for a smoother ride. Also, this one appears to have roller bearings but many had solid bearings, often incorrectly referred to as friction bearings.
     
  3. trainsbybob

    trainsbybob TrainBoard Member

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    B2FD2841-5D31-439C-8041-B4B3C3386A66.jpeg Bill,

    I believe the pictured caboose is a class Ce-2 999524. Thanks for the reply. Also I realized that I looked at the wrong MicroTrains trucks... maybe these would be a better solution?
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  4. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    I'd also suggest separate trucks and body-mount couplers.

    For a leaf-sprung caboose truck, see Micro-Trains 003 02 140.

    For an extended body-mount coupler, see if Micro-Trains 001 02 025 would work.
     
  5. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Just spent some time with Steve Priest's waycar book. First thing: no leaf sprung trucks except on the coast lines. Second: one truck includes a generator belt driven from axle. Hundreds of waycars were rebuilt at west Wichita between 1966 and 1968. These cars were noted by some blanked out windows, with the remaining ones being gasketed glass thermopane with rounded corners. Window frames were either black or silver. With the original rebuilds, solid bearing trucks were included. The CE-3's were rebuilt in San Bernadino for the coast lines. All waycars when rebuilt had original ASF-A3 trucks replaced with Bettendorf leafsprnig trucks when available. A large battery box was hung under the car on the three window side and underframes. All rebuilt cabooses wer painted Indian red with large yellow heralds, and black roofs and underframes.

    Starting in 1972, a program was started to change to leaf sprung trucks with roller bearings. Beginning in 1975, roofs were painted red, and by 1977, the underframes were painted red instead of black. Many of the CE-3's were red with the sides of the copula painted yellow, to indicate it was for local or assigned service. In one version, the copula was all yellow, in another it was yellow with a red or black roof to match the car roof.

    None of this addresses the accuracy of the car you have. It would not surprise me that The earlier wood sided cabooses were just given a coat of red paint with yellow heralds and it was called good.

    In any event, I would suggest that body mount couplers are essential, not just here but on all cars.
     
  6. dualgauge

    dualgauge TrainBoard Member

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    Are the windows the older double-hung, in the original unrebuilt form. Are not all the atlas cabooses body mounted all ready lot of switching. What ever way you go have fun.
     
  7. trainsbybob

    trainsbybob TrainBoard Member

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    Dualguage,

    The car I have is the original un-rebuilt form. I believe it’s from the 2011 product run. Part #3556
    The picture posted is of the car albeit in a different scheme.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    The original version had double hung windows, and the rebuilt versions had fewer thermopane windows.

    The version in your most recent photo is an original version, and should be in mineral brown, with no big herald
     
  9. nd-rails

    nd-rails TrainBoard Member

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    Atlas went to the effort to make caboose trucks themselves, so there's a start differing from 'freight' trucks. Body mounting/ replacement on a caboose is about the easiest car to 'improve', with a little extra weight added. Regards d
     

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