Retrucking Caboose with Kadees

[nephthyr]

I have an Athearn caboose lettered for ATSF (its a 1940's) waycar and I want to put Kadee metal sprung trucks on it. Which ones will be best? I put bettendorf's on my boxcars but I dont't think they're right for the caboose. Will Andrews trucks be better?

Thanks!

 

[UP2CSX]

Cabooses did not use standard frieght car trucks. The either had a longer wheelbase truck with coil springs or a Bettendorf style truck with leaf springs. ATSF cabooses in the 40's used Barber-Bettendorf trucks with leaf springs. Bethlehem Car Works is the only company that makes an accurate verison. Tichy Train Group part #3051 is close enough, much cheaper, and generally available.

 

[nephthyr]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. What about the Atlas Caboose truck? It seems to look similar to the one on the caboose already but I cant seem to find a decent sized photo of the Atlas one. Its interesting that the caboose I have has roller bearing trucks on it (Barber Bettendorfs with the leaf spring as you mentioned).

 

[UP2CSX]

It depends on your era. The Santa Fe used the same basic style of steel caboose from the late 30's until the end of the caboose era. If you want to keep it accurate for the period before about 1970, the trucks would have standard journals. After that, the caboose trucks were retrofitted or replaced with roller bearing trucks. The Atlas trucks would be fine for the more modern era.