I wanted to purchase the MTH twin stack set,and a few other MTH cars. Should I purchase the MTH trucks or is there a better reasonably priced truck to buy? Does any brand fit and do you have to modify alot? Joe P.

I think the only trucks that are going to fit without any modification are the MTH trucks. I have heard that if you buy the MTH trucks they will lower the car down to a much more prototypical height and the KDs should also be at the correct height. I have some of their trucks on order myself. I think there are other trucks out there that are better looking/more prototypical than the MTH trucks but you will have to modify the car to get them to work.

IMO the MTH 2 rail trucks don't have the Atlas too wide look. Weather they lower the car or not remains to be seen. I have a set of roller bearing trucks to place on an MTH high cube 50' box car as a test unit. I did use bolster plugs from Ed Reutling and Weaver RB trucks on my first MTH high cube car. It was a matter of trimming the bolster plugs to make the car sit at the right height for the Kadee couplers. I also used NWSL 36" wheels in the trucks. Again, IMHO, MTH has a nicer system at the moment than Atlas for converting to 2 rail. I also have a set of MTH 2 rail Bettendorf trucks to convert a steel ice reefer, so when I get them converted I will post the results.

Greg

Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world, and there is no perfect conversion. I like using the Atlas conversion kit when converting Atlas, and MTH when converting MTH. But MTH is not cut and dried. I have used the MTH trucks to convert their 50' high cubes to 2-rail, and they trun out nice, but I converted a grain hopper, and it sits to low. Accually, the coupler hight is correct, but the discharge bays are to large and drag on the bottom. So, I have to raise the car, and lower the couplers.

It will also depend on which car you are trying to convert. MTH is getting better with their freight, but earlier cars were not intended for the 2-rail market, so they needed some engineereing. Some of the cars I've converted, wound up just getting new floors built with proper bolsters.

Bruce

This message has been edited. Last edited by: az2rail,

Bruce that is true, the later cars from MTH have the 2 rail conversions in mind. Like I said, the bolster plugs that go in the floor of the car allow you to set the height at the desired level. The PS center flow grain hopper I converted yrs ago needed shimming for the Kadee couplers and sits too high IMO. The long flat cars, gondolas- clones of the Atlas gondola, and waffle sided box cars worked with the plugs. I needed to rebuild the bolster for the 8k shortie tank car and small cylindrical hopper. MTH's new 60' scale flat car should work well with their conversion trucks.

Greg

Great info guys. I want to start 2 rail and heard it would be too big a hastle. The atlas cars are offered as 2 rail but that would limit my choices. I started buying two and three rail. I'm losing track of direction ( 2 or 3 rail). I'm going to check the availability of MTH trucks now. Anyway thanks, Joe P.

Depending on personal preferences & abilities, it is possible to install 2R wheelsets in MTH 3R trucks. That may be more economical (less costly/cheaper) than buying complete 2R replacement trucks. Of course, one might be able to sell the 3R trucks (maybe easier than selling only 3R wheelsets) to recoup some of the conversion cost.

NWSL sold different wheel sets for MTH trucks depending on truck design. You would think that all wheels for MTH would be the same but they aren't. The metal the MTH trucks are made of is soft. You have to be careful when you dis assemble the trucks that you don't strip the threads. Now that NWSL is closing down where will the replacement wheels come from? I think selling the whole 3 rail truck would be easier. MTH cars can be bought cheap enough through blow-out sales and eBay that the price of the new trucks and sale of original trucks probably be a cheaper way to go than just replacing the wheels. Just my thoughts on this.

Greg

Greg--

NWSL would like to sell the business but a new owner has not yet appeared. The business is still operating at this time, though they have discontinued doing any custom work.

If anyone wants to stock up on NWSL products, now would be the time. There are price breaks on large quantities of wheelsets, etc, so folks might want to consider getting together with friends and placing group orders.

Woody,

That's good news that they are still selling off the shelf items. It maybe too late for me to get the wheel sets and gears I need but the wheels for conversion sure would be nice to stock up on.

Thanks,
Greg

Looking at their site
http://www.nwsl.com/pdf%20prod%20list/pdf%20prod05.htm

8856-4 13.95 33"/172MTH#1/ATLAS-Europe .079"shldr axle 2-rail whlst (4)
8857-4 13.95 36"/172MTH#1/ATLAS-Europe .079"shldr axle 2-rail whlst (
8369-4 13.95 P:48 33"/115 2-rail -San Juan/MTH#4 point 1.8” length axle (4)
8371-4 13.95 P:48 36"/115 2-rail -San Juan/MTH#4 Point 1.8” length axle (4)
8848-4 13.95 33"/172 MTH#2 2-rail wheelset -'O' Gauge (4)
8849-4 13.95 36"/172 MTH#2 2-rail wheelset -'O' Gauge (4)
8865-4 13.95 33"/172 tread MTH#3 Point axle 2-rail whlst -'O' Gauge (4)
8866-4 13.95 36"/172 tread MTH#3 Point axle

8869-4 13.95 33"/172 MTH#4/SanJuan Point axle - 'O' Gauge (4)
8871-4 13.95 36"/172 MTH#4/SanJuan Point axle - 'O' Gauge (4)
?????????????????????????
I get the feeling I better wait and talk to them as I do see the different available MTH wheelsets for two rail. Seems like one step forward, two back every time! Joe P.

Guys,
I know this has been asked before, but I was wondering what the MTH part no. is for the 2-rail trucks- anyone have it? I've got more than a few 50' high cubes I'd like to switch over to 2-rail as well.

Geno

Geno, the pn 20-89002 is for the roller bearing 2rail. pn 20-89001 is for the Bettendorf 2 rail. I just ordered the roller type for a pack of 3 bay ctr flows? I'll figure this stuff out sooner or later. Joe P.

Joe,
Thanks for the pt. nos.- ever convert any MTH Autoracks? I'd be curious to see how the MTH 2-rail trucks work there.

Geno

Geno, I'm just getting started in this scale. I have not converted anything yet. I hope someone else will answer. Joe P.

Joe,
I'm probably going to order the MTH 2-rail trucks from Jim Sutter and see how the conversion works out, since I've also got plenty of MTH Autoracks to convert. Ohter forumites have done the conversion, but used Atlas trucks.

Geno