I have a few 3-rail Atlas '89 flatcars I'd like to convert to 2-rail. What are the correct wheelsets to use for these cars (33" or 36")?

Geno

Mine have 33" wheels.

Bruce

If your cars have rotating end caps, then the changing the wheelsets will
be a bit of a problem. If you have older non-rotating caps, Intermountain
33" wheels should work fine.

I would be willing to swap you 3 pair of 2 rail Atlas tks and couplers for 89' FC's, for same in 3 rail (need whole truck and coupler Assy) Just need to have Black truck sideframes.

If interested, I will be out in Paso Robles end of month, and we could swap then.

beth marshall

Beth,
Thanks for a good offer. I have (3) 3-rail '89 flats- all have rotating bearing caps and black side truck frames. If the 2-rail trucks also have rotating bearing caps and you include the special Atlas 2-rail coupler boxes (the ones with the mounting tabs on the sides), we have a deal. I'll e-mail you later to remind you.

Geno

The Atlas trucks, can be disassembled. The most difficult part is reinstalling the springs. I recently took one apart, to see if I could modify it, to go under some brass pig flats. The little rotating caps can be easily pulled off. To reinstall the springs, wrap a piece of thread around a middle loop in the spring. This gives you something to hang onto and also prevents loosing the little springs. I normally use a piece of dental floss, in place of the thread.

quote:

Originally posted by Geno:
Beth,
Thanks for a good offer. I have (3) 3-rail '89 flats- all have rotating bearing caps and black side truck frames. If the 2-rail trucks also have rotating bearing caps and you include the special Atlas 2-rail coupler boxes (the ones with the mounting tabs on the sides), we have a deal. I'll e-mail you later to remind you.

Geno

Actually, the coupler box is the same....there is a separate piece that has the side tabs that connect to the car, and connects to the coupler box. Usually we have too much 3 rail and not enough 2 rail, but in 89' flats, we have mostly 2 rail and not enough 3 rail. If you can email me last week of August, we could swap then. If you find the parts elsewhere before the end of Aug, no big deal...as we are just changing trucks on stock items.

beth

Beth,
No problem- I will remind you then and we can make arrangements. BTW, do you also have Atlas 45' trailers for the flats? I need three more to fill my flatcars up.

Geno

Hi Geno,

I just sent an E-mail message your way. I have some Atlas trailers, that I don't need.