As part of an estate sale, I acquired a lot of Kadee sprung trucks in various models. I intend to make them the standard on the freight cars in my layout at least on Athearn kits, etc. I’ll weather them and use metal wheels. What is a good source of information as to what trucks would have been used on different cars? I have 50 ton, 70 ton, AAR, Bettendorf, etc. I’m not a rivet counter (no offense to those who are) but would like to be accurate where practical. Thanks.
It would depend somewhat on the era which you’re modelling. After 1970 or so, most cars would have rollerbearing trucks. The Bettendorf-style trucks (cast sideframes) date from the '20s and were in use into the early '70s, while fabricated trucks such as the Andrews type (introduced in 1898) lasted until 1954, at least in interchange service. Archbars date back to the 1800s, and were in interchange service until 1940.
To determine which trucks are appropriate (keeping in mind the rough outline above for applicable dates of use), check the capacities shown on the left side of the car.
By the way, Kadee wheels are metal - you can polish the treads, if desired, by the gentle use of a wire brush in your Dremel tool, as seen on the Andrews truck on the Stewart hopper below.
Wayne
As Wayne pointed out the Kadee wheels are metal, it is the axles that are plastic.
If you want to make these truck very free rolling, you can replace the wheel sets with Intermountain wheel sets which makes the Kadee truck extremely free rolling, as good or better than anything out there, metal or plastic, srung or not.
99% of my freight cars are equiped this way and it has resulted in a 30-40% increase in pulling capacity of my locos.
When installing the Intermountain wheels, I put the smallest drop of light oil in the truck journals. It soaks into the cast metal and “perminately” lubs the journal.
As to what trucks go on what, look closely at what is on the car, look at the Kadee trucks, you will quickly learn the different types and easily match them up.
Sheldon
Thanks very much for the quick replies. I have a lot of metal wheels both Intermountain and Proto. I’ve used the trucks and wheels on a couple of cars and was really impressed with how much more freely they rolled.