Ok Gang, I want to get hold of some leaf springs to alter some 2 rail MTH bettendorf freight truck assemblies I have on hand. Not real sure what might fit for now, but any ideas on availability of leaf springs is appreciated.



Bob

Precision Scale makes leaf springs. They drop into the old USH trucks and probably some Precision Scale trucks. I have installed them in Athearn Delrin trucks by drilling small holes in the bolsters.

It might take some imagineering, but you might be able to get them to work.

P&D has them listed in their Precision Scale Parts list.... page 3

PSC00357 Springs, Leaf, freight cars (4) $ 3.00

Thanks for the source info Jim and mike.

Bob

I have kitbashed a couple of cabooses, including trucks. Atlas makes a caboose truck, but the spring detail is minimal. I prefer using the Precision Scale plastic springs because you can modify them if need be. The central issue for me is whether the spring is two across or three across. It may be that 2/3 of a three-across will fit your needs better. Usually you have to drill/Dremel out the coil spring detail in the existing truck.

One wrinkle is with trucks that have "working" coil springs: you have to figure out a way to making them nonworking, or else use a real leaf spring. However, I don't think the working brass leaf springs are very realistic looking.

I highly recommend getting Precision Scale's FREIGHT AND PASSENGER CAR catalog if you do not already have it. Then you can see exactly what will work best for you.

Good luck!

BRUCE

MTH trucks, while sprung are not equalized. So stuffing a plastic leaf spring into the spring cavity won't hurt or help the MTH truck characteristics. It will make a nice looking caboose truck out of it though.

Greg

My need is for a realistic appearance more that individual spring performance. I think a caboose is to light weight to cause any potential suspension activity. I could be wrong, but since it doesn't matter to me, I'll settle for the enhanced appearance of the leafspring truck for my caboose. In fact many times I've had to physically press down on a sprung model to see it there was any suspension, and I doubt the normal motion of running trains will put the average model suspension system to work. Perhaps some especially rough trackwork could provide the exception as it can "kick" a reaction from a sprung truck on occasion. Anyway, I'll be happy to get the look I'm after. Thanks again to those who have provided sourcing info.

Regards

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by flanger:
My need is for a realistic appearance more that individual spring performance. I think a caboose is to light weight to cause any potential suspension activity. I could be wrong, but since it doesn't matter to me, I'll settle for the enhanced appearance of the leafspring truck for my caboose. In fact many times I've had to physically press down on a sprung model to see it there was any suspension, and I doubt the normal motion of running trains will put the average model suspension system to work. Perhaps some especially rough trackwork could provide the exception as it can "kick" a reaction from a sprung truck on occasion. Anyway, I'll be happy to get the look I'm after. Thanks again to those who have provided sourcing info.

Regards

Bob

Bob,

It appears that the P&D parts are PSC A-357 leaf springs. If I recall (and the catalog pix are right) these are thin, flat, bent phosphor-bronze inserts. They don't have much profile or shape to them like the real ones do.

Depending on how far you want to go with those springs, PSC does makes 4 other cast brass leaf springs for passenger cars that might look a bit "shapelier" and more realistic. Unfortunately they would likely have to be trimmed a bit for freight trucks/caboose use tho...

You might consider some Rich Yoder caboose trucks, they are gorgeous but they are about $30 a pair:

http://richyodermodels.com/rym_trucks.htm

Ditto on the Rich Yoder Caboose trucks. They are my truck of choice for cabeese after I purchased one a few months ago. Absolutely gorgeous and worth the money.

http://www.richyodermodels.com/rym_trucks.htm