Caboose Trucks

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Dose anyone have any information on Tahoe Models caboose trucks? How do they compare to Kadee trucks? Are they sprung or solid?

Thanks

2

Hi “Mr. SP,”

I’m happy to describe Tahoe Model Works trucks for you as I’m an enthusiastic user. The TMW trucks have one-piece sideframe/bolster moldings in acetal plastic with conical bearings for needle-point axles. They include clip-on brake beams that carry the brake shoes in the same vertical plane as the wheel treads, not molded into the sideeframes as in some other makes. They use all-metal wheelsets, with either standard or semi-scale (“code 88”) wheels. Their rolling quality is superior to Kadee trucks, the wheelsets have always been correctly gauged on the trucks I’ve used, and as far as caboose trucks go, Tahoe has 'em and Kadee doesn’t. I’m a Santa Fe modeler and Tahoe’s Bettendorf Swing Motion and Barber-Bettendorf Swing Motion caboose trucks, both with (molded) elliptical springs, are perfect for the most common ATSF steel waycars. Tahoe also has five different types of freight car trucks, all just as good.

So long,

Andy

3

Andy,

I’m glad you said that about the caboose trucks. I had been wondering about them myself, as I have a couple of CE-1 cabooses in the works, and wanted something a little nicer than the Athearn trucks under them. Thanks! [:)]

EDIT:

On second thought, after looking at them online, they’re the wrong style for the CE-classes. Bummer!

4

Hi “Arjay,”

The Athearn caboose truck is actually a pretty good Barber-Bettendorf Swing Motion truck with roller bearings, and therefore appropriate for the modernized Santa Fe way cars. You can improve that truck with Kadee clip-on brake beams with brake shoes (mis-labeled “brake pads” in Kadee listings) and metal wheels. So far Tahoe Model Works has offered only trucks with journal boxes for solid bearings, which is okay with me.

So long,

Andy

5

Andy

From your description I assume the Tahoe Models trucks are not sprung? The detail sounds good theough

6

Andy,

Thanks for the suggestion about the brake beams. I’ll try that.

I also just spent a while looking at photos of CE-class waycars, and it looks like some of them were still riding on the older Barber-Bettendorf friction-bearing trucks even after being rebuilt, so I think a pair of the TMW trucks are in order.

Mr. SP,

From looking at photos of the TMW trucks online, even though they’re not sprung, the detail on them is exquisite, right down to the cast-on lettering on the sideframes. I’ll be buying some myself!