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Post by CALS Member on Jan 22, 2016 15:26:39 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
I have been wanting to build a gondola but I am unsure how to attach the couplers and trucks to the gondola. Does anyone have any advice on how to do this? Also, what brand of couplers/trucks is best?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by raymbo on Mar 13, 2016 10:38:48 GMT -5
Tom Bee sells some very nice couplers and Bettendorf and modern roller bearing type trucks. A 3/8" X 2" X7" long flat bar is secured to the bottom of the tube and this acts as the car bolster. I usually weld the plate to the underframe, and in the center of this plate is a 3/8 threaded hole to receive the shoulder bolt.
Trucks may be attached several different ways, a 1/2" shoulder bolt is what Tom's trucks require. Titan trucks (Formerly Mountain Car Company) uses a 3/8" pin and a clevis pin through a hole in the end of the pin.
Couplers are secured to the car by bolting to the 1"X 2" tube underframe with a 3/8" X 2" grade eight bolt and a locking nut.
If you buy Tom Bee's trucks and couplers, he has an information sheet on how all this goes together and he has this information on his web site as well.
I will go out a little later and take a couple of photos for you.
I hope this helps some.......
Godshall Machine sells the only Andrews type trucks I know of.
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Post by raymbo on Mar 13, 2016 11:16:41 GMT -5
Here area a couple of photos showing the set up for Tom Bee trucks and couplers.
The chain link is for the safety chain that I use below the couplers.
This shows the 3/8" X 2" X 7" plate that Tom uses to secure his trucks using a 1/2" shoulder bolt.
This is Tom Bee's coupler. The safety chain is secured to the link welded to the 1" X 2" tube steel underframe.
Here is a link to Tom's web site. www.islandpondrailroad.com/tombee/index.htm
There are others who sell trucks and couplers but I recommend Tom's.
I hope this helps. |
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