Along with the Marklin flatcar conversion I finished last weekend, I also finished the updated 3 axle buckeye trucks for MTL cars. Its now available at my Shapeways store. They work on 60' flat cars and also work on the 50' gondolas. But I have never seen a pair of 3 axle buckeye trucks on a gondola. The trucks come in journal box or roller bearing versions. Designed for MTL couplers and 33" wheel sets. Old versions of buckeye trucks are no longer available. You can also get the roller bearing trucks with two CAT D8 tractor AG version loads or two CAT 983 track loader loads. Both tractors can be built with or without ROPS/canapy. New tractors, without ROPS, both machines could be found on flatcars for delivery from early 1960's to early 1970's. New tractors with ROPS could be found on flatcars for delivery from late 60's to late 70's. Both CAT machines can still be found in the used market all over the world today. You can find a link to my store that has all the kits on the "Swap Meet" here: https://www.trainboard.com/highball...axle-buckeye-trucks-for-mtl-rail-cars.129530/ Thanks, -Jon Roller bearing version. Journal box version. Roller bearing version with CAT tractor load kits. View attachment 211760
Thanks Robert. That's a good question. Fox Valley has been out of black metal wheels for a long time now. I Have not been able to get my hands on some and test them out. As long as the axle is no thicker than MTL's wheel axles, they should in theory work.
Hi, Jon. I've got some Full Throttle 33" metal wheels. If you ever want to see if they work bring it by and we'll see. Hope all is well. The flatcars look great. Much better looking. Jim
Thanks Jim! I will definitely take you up on that. It would be good to know if I need to make modifications.
I made some 3 axle Buckeye trucks out of etched brass many years ago to see if they would work. I never worked on a design to attach them to couplers other than gluing. They did not work well with plastic wheels as the etched axle pockets chewed up the plastic points. As for metal wheels, they worked very well. Here are two photos from back then with brown MTL plastic wheels. They looked excellent on my 68' HD DODX Flat Cars! Hobo Tim