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Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 4:25 pm
by Benjamin Maggi
I am building a 1.5" scale model of a DL&W #600-849 series caboose. I actually started researching this 10 years ago but, well, you know how things go. While on the DL&W (and later EL) some of the cabooses rode on trucks that I have seen referred to as "passenger trucks," "high speed trucks," and "milk car trucks." As the cars aged many received regular caboose trucks.

Here is a close-up of the trucks I would like to model:
caboose trucks.png
At this time I am not really looking to build the trucks myself. I was hoping someone made them in 1.5" scale.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 5:17 pm
by Dick_Morris
From what I've seen, caboose trucks typically had a shorter wheel base than passenger car trucks and had fewer sets of leaf springs. Axles and journals were probably smaller as well, but that is a more subtle difference.

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 10:06 am
by Erskine Tramway
Hi Benjamin....

Here's a picture of a truck under a CB&Q waycar up in Billings, Mont. that I took a few years ago. Waycar trucks would have been sprung more lightly than passenger car trucks, mostly account they are not as heavy.

Sorry I can't help you out with a manufacturer.

Mike

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 6:27 pm
by rwheller
I have a pair of what you are looking for under my caboose. They were made by the then Mountain Car Company. I have not seen them for sale for some many years though. You could try contacting them to see if they are still available.
100_1612.JPG

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:54 pm
by Benjamin Maggi
Thank you. While not exact, I think they look close enough. I will try reaching out to MCC and, if that fails (and it likely will), post a wanted advertisement.

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 2:13 pm
by Steven E. Kuhn
Ben,
Check out the Tom Bee website. They now carry passenger trucks ready to go. They have them in two wheel base dimensions. The 10" is what you may want for caboose trucks. Looking at them closer though they are not quite the same as your photo. I am assuming yours are of an older style. The other photos and the caboose with the MCC trucks under them in the other photos are the same style as the Tom Bee trucks. Maybe someone can elaborate.

Let us know how it goes. I bet they are better than the MCC trucks too. Looks as if they have the swing link suspension. Looking to order a pair of these myself too very soon.

https://tombeeonline.com/collections/pa ... ger-trucks

Steven E. Kuhn

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:05 am
by Benjamin Maggi
I will check them out. Thanks!

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 12:37 am
by rkcarguy
Being these are plate trucks for the most part, we could laser cut plates for you if you can't find anything else close enough. We've already done quite a bit of work for Chaski members.

Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 7:49 am
by Benjamin Maggi
Thanks, but I have several other machining projects going on and don't want to start another. I appreciate it though.