Source for HO tender trucks?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I can buy virtually any kind of freight car truck. But I’m having a hard time finding the right trucks to put on tenders. Anyone know of any manufacturers?

Jeff

2

Be more specific. Which steam locomotives? There are many different types of tender trucks.

Bachmann sells a set labeled 2-8-0, Universal. With wipers and hardware.

From the Bachmann parts page.

The truck frame design is differrent for each model but the truck can be used in HO: 2-8-0, 2-10-0, 2-10-2, 2-6-6-2, 4-4-0 American, 4-4-0 Baldwin, 4-6-0

Rich

3

You could start here…

http://greenwayproducts.com/greenway-products/wheel-sets-trucks-and-drivers/

What particular tender trucks are you looking for? Sometimes Ebay has some, you could try Bowser as well. Call Lee English and see what they have. Bowser recently had a big sale of new-old-stock including many steam locomotive parts.

Good Luck, Ed

4

I just looked at the Bowser site. Nice metal trucks.

http://www.modelrailroader.net/ho_tendertrucks.php

You can also Google tender trucks ho scale. That brought up results.

Edit. Oops, looks like not available.

Rich

5

PSC has metal tender truck parts. Make your own.

Search Walther’s online catalog.

Rich

6

I use Bowser Buckeye #35107 trucks on my heavy steam tenders, I tried Precision Scale early on but swapped them out for Bowser. I had problems with the equalization on the Precision Scale trucks, constant derailing through turnouts. I’ve never had any problems with the Bowser 35107 trucks, 12 tenders/72 axles.

Edit:
Bowser shows them as discontinued but it shows them in stock on this page:

http://www.bowser-trains.com/docs/Prices/Bowser%20HO%20N%20Prices.htm

Mel

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

My Model Railroad

7

I need trucks like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-54403-HO-Southern-2-8-2-Mikado-w-Long-Steam-Locomotive-Tender-4501-/331841706843?hash=item4d434e9b5b:g:xQcAAOSwaZdXIFrg

Bachmann has had them on some tenders but they aren’t available as separate parts according to their website. I’ll need several sets for short tenders on IC 2300 and 2400 series 4-8-2s and on the cisterns (auxillary tenders).

8

Check out Bethlehem Car Works:

http://bethlehemcarworks.com/Products/Kit_Bits/index.html#Trucks

Mel

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

Bakersfield, California

9

JWhite I know Kadee sells roling stock trucks. Maybe they sell tender trucks too ?

YGW

10

JWhite,

Those are 4-wheel commonwealth tender trucks. I just checked eBay and there is a nice pair in brass by Overland Models. Search ho model trains and type in “4-wheel commonwealth tender trucks”. I believe you can also get them from precision scale in Montana. A quick Google search will get you PSC’s telephone number to inquire.

Over 26 years ago I used such a pair of brass truck castings to finish a C&O J-2 project in its as delivered configuration. From memory, I think I got mine from Kemtron, that is now PSC.

Joel

11

Thanks for the links everyone. I should be able to find something, but it would sure be easier and more economical for the modeler if someone made the various tender trucks in engineering plastic like the freight car trucks.