Molded plastic T section "BETTENDORF" freight car trucks NOT having wire springs


Andy Carlson
 

Jimmi Booth, the toolmaker who cut the tool for the SP 52 flat car formerly offered by Red Caboose, has a technique useful for any of the 3-piece RC trucks.

Jimmi takes a hot soldering iron and over a flat service (such as glass) hold the assembled truck upside down and bearing equally at 4 points on the glass (This assures the correct geometry) and fuse the bolster end to each sideframe. The resultant fused truck accepts wheelsets well, and will track as good as other one-piece trucks. You might use "The Tool" from ReBox to provide better rolling properties.

On another note: There has been no takeover of Red Caboose by Intermountain. Bill, faced with changing economics, entered into an agreement with Intermountain in that all future assembled products would be built under the control of Intermountain. Marketing also is handled by Intermountain, as well. Bill has even gone to work for Intermountain, and after a year he was accepted into a Vice Presidency position (Of Sales). Kits are still the providence of Bill's Red Caboose. He wears both of his hats very well.
-Andy Carlson
Ojai CA



From: Tony Thompson


 
        I agree with Richard Hendrickson's opinion that the Red Caboose T-section truck is terrific looking, but if you operate them, that opinion will fall fast. They simply do not perform well, getting out of tram easily and other defects. I have replaced all the ones I got with the Red Caboose stock cars (partly because Vulcan trucks were far more common on SP stock cars than any T-section replacement trucks) but also just so the cars could run on the layout. I have been told that RC contemplated a better version of this truck, but don't know if that ever happened before the InterMountain takeover.

Join {main@RealSTMFC.groups.io to automatically receive all group messages.