Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

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Benjamin Maggi
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Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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.
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Erskine Tramway
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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
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Billings Waycar Truck.jpg
Billings Waycar 2.jpg
Former Locomotive Engineer and Designer, Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works, Inc. and Riverside & Great Northern Railway 1962-77
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rwheller
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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.
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
Steven E. Kuhn
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

I will check them out. Thanks!
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
rkcarguy
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post 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.
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Looking for info about high-speed caboose trucks

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Thanks, but I have several other machining projects going on and don't want to start another. I appreciate it though.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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