Does anybody know the wheelbase on these trucks? They were used under MLW locomotives. I am thinking of taking a Stewart C-630 and modifying it to make a MLW 640. I’ve figured out how to do the rear radiator section, but would appreciate any advice that could be given on changing the trucks on the HO scale model.
Also, can I take an Athearn Train Master drive, and put a Stewart hi-hood C-630 shell on it to make a model of one of the 135-139 series of N&W C-630s that rode on FM trucks? From the drawings and converting the full scale dimensions to HO, there is less than a foot difference on the real locomotives.
Any help is appreciated.
Danny meandmrd@sbcglobal.net
The trucks you are referring to come in several variations, and wheelbases! There are HO side frames to replace existing Athearn 6 axle ones Go out to this link:
http://www.cnlines.com/modl/proto/part.html
…and look for part number H-152
Jim Bernier
For the Dofasco C trucks I don’t know the spacing offhand, but the overall wheelbase is 11 feet 2 inches, so the spacing should be 5 feet 7 inches.
The best bet to model these trucks right now would be to start with the Stewart Trimount, depower the inboard axle, move it closer to center, and install Dofasco sideframes from Tiger Valley or Miniatures by Eric.
Kaslo Shops has been working on a C40-8M for some time (since 1995 or so), and its Dofasco trucks are intended to use the Stewart drive. I know that the project is still active, but I don’t know when it will come.
Another option is to use Athearn stuff - the “DD40” truck has the correct axle spacing, so you can amputate one axle and apply the Dofasco sideframes. The bad news is that the Athearn DD40 truck is available only with the old outside-bearing metal sideframes, so it’ll take some doing to convert.