what is the difference in these trucks and what would be the better way to go. This is all very new to me so any helpful ideas and input would be great!
I recommend you try the N Scale Supply page here: http://www.nscalesupply.com/MTL/MTL-NScaleTrucks.html It has an excellent description of each truck, including when they were used, with photos.
Hello, I think that you will find that all the Micro-Trains trucks function the same. To figure which style you want to use, consult photographs of the prototype car, and then match the truck type from a list like the one in Nelson's reply. Mark
If you're replacing trucks on equipment you already own, and you don't have a prototype photo, you can take a close look at the style you have and see which MT style it matches best.
Generally, the Bettendorf were used from early 1900 to the 1950's. The Archbar was used on freight cars til about 1938 at which time it was banned on cars interchanged between railroads. The Roller Bearing became standardized in 1956, and the Barber Roller Bearing came on in the early 1970's. Choose the style that matches the time period your modeling in.
The MTL website no longer has a trucks & couplers page; it's "coming soon". This was once the core of their business. Maybe they will sell them back to Kadee and concentrate on rolling stock.
George, I'm sure it is an upgrade-I'm just disappointed at the priority it was given.-they have the "Smoky Bear" loco page updated.
