i am a o scaler (oscaletrains it should be apparent ) and i do ho too but when i do ho its allways athern kits (there cheper that way) so im wondering about
o scale kits ive seen 2 rail but never 3 rail ive thought about 2 rail then putting linoel wheels on it and couplers would this work???[?]
I would suggest Weaver or Atlas trucks. Lionel trucks might make the car sit a little high. As to makers of O scale kits, I know Weaver used to produce kits. I don’t know if they still do or not. A company called Ye old Huff and Puff produces kits for the turn of the century era. I don’t know if that would interest you or not.
George
Oh, yes ! Spankybird just did that to a car ! Remove the 0-scale couplers & trucks & install the 3 rail trucks ! Let us know how you do !
Hey oscaletrains,
Thanks for asking that question. When I was a kid I used to buy HO train kits and put together my own cars. i misss that in O scale. If anyone knows of any company that makes O scale kits please let us know. I was hoping for something more modern than turn of the century.
Tom S
wood kits are supereasy. plastic kits are a bit more work, and not very reversible.
in two rail 0 scale, which most kits are designed for, the body bolster becomes the problem. it together with the truck bolster will set your car at the proper height…
when i convert these kits to three rail i use the lionel diecast metal sprung truck for it’s weight, quality, and ease of use ($12.95). they contain both bolsters, or allow for those dimensions, within it’s structure, and simply mount to the underside of the frame deck with a #2 sheetmetal screw about 1 1/4 inches from the car end.
the plastic kits require you to not add the body bolster, or to remove it before proceeding. other detail parts that interfere with coupler swing will be in the way and have to be removed.
for passenger cars which require an extended coupler bar; i simply checked the lionel cars for one suitable, and special ordered the parts from lionel.
lionel was king when i was doing this; i don’t know what other manufacturers have done in the interim. good luck!
one other thing. 0 scale kits are not cheaper. they cost plenty to buy them initially, and take hold of you and can go on forever; especially if you possess any creativity. you will end up with a fine model though.
if you want cheap; buy readymade, or search the auction site.
LaBelle Woodworking http://www.labellemodels.com/ makes 1900 era wood kits. Check ebay for All Nation, Intermountain, Mainline Models, Quality Craft kits. These were all scale and may need some some adjustment for trcuk/coupler swing.
Enjoy
Paul
Noticed in OGR magazine a add for “Denny’s Trains and Things” that they have some boxcar and hopper kits for sale. Most of these are for less than $10.00. I don’t know much about these, but was considering doing something with them myself. Let us know how it goes.
Dennis
ps: the # for Denny’s is 630-554-6964 and no, I am not making a endorsement even though my name is dennis.
I second the Labelle kits - other ads in O Scale Magazine. Hmmm, Denny must live near me.
If you find them, Intermountain used to make kits that could be built for either 2 or 3 rail. Trucks for both and thumb tack couplers for 3 rail were included. When Intermountain sold off their O scale line to Atlas, the kits were dropped. Maybe its time to petition Atlas to rerelease the kits.
Pete