Model Forum / General / Railroads / March 2005

I just got a few trucks from somebody and some rolling stock. I wish to
make some models of my own but don't know how to attach the trucks to
the base, as they are without any screws. The person who gave me the
trucks said I would need "grommets". (he is also not very familiar with
this hobby).
The rolling stock I have has trucks with metal wheels and is attached to
the stock base with small screws, I want to know how can I attach the
trucks (has rapido couplers) and plastic wheels to the base of a custom
built model.
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Atlas, Model Power, Micro-Trains, and MDC/Roundhouse offer truck pins
for separate sale. You should be able to find what you need from these
manufacturers or Walthers. The screw-type ones are used on Bachmann
items.

http://www.walthers.com/

http://www.atlasrr.com/

http://www.micro-trains.com/

http://www.modelpower.com/

http://www.mdcroundhouse.com/

Good luck with your project!

Bill
Bill's Railroad Empire
N Scale Model Railroad:
http://www.billsrailroad.net
Brief History of N Scale:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/history/n-scale
Model Railroad Bookstore:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/bookstore
Resources--Links to 1,000 sites:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/bills-favorite-links

*** The rolling stock I have has trucks with metal wheels and is
attached to the stock base with small screws, I want to know how can I
attach the trucks (has rapido couplers) and plastic wheels to the base
of a custom built model.
---------------------------------------------------
Here are some part numbers for truck pins:
Atlas: kingpins for trucks (6/pkg) #22003.
MDC/Roundhouse: truck mounting pins (12/pkg) #8970. Micro-Trains
(conversion pins): Atlas to MT (24/pkg) #1034, MDC to MT (24/pkg) #1039.
Model Power truck pins (24/pkg) #3624-2. Con-Cor (solid pins10/pkg)
#09-TN65 (split pins 10/pkg) #09-TN64.

You might try Standard Hobby Supply for the truck pins:

http://www.standardhobby.com/

Bill
Bill's Railroad Empire
N Scale Model Railroad:
http://www.billsrailroad.net
Brief History of N Scale:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/history/n-scale
Model Railroad Bookstore:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/bookstore
Resources--Links to 1,000 sites:
http://www.billsrailroad.net/bills-favorite-links

There are several issues, not just the one of how to fasten the trucks
to the body.

a) the bolster (that little crosspiece underneath, to which the trucks
are attached) must be high enough so that the wheels don't rub the floor.

b) the end of the car may have to have some or all of the endsill filed
down so that the trucks can swing from side to side without fouling it.

c) for fastening the trucks, use small screws, which you can get from
Walthers, microfasteners.com, and other sources. For N gauage trucks you
will need #1 screws, IIRC. Use the flathead type, as the coning under
the head helps center the truck. Actually, getting screws this size is
the hardest part - very few hardware stores stock such small screws. You
also need drills of the proper sizes, so invest in some. Try Micromark
(micromark.com).

Good luck!