Here's some questions for you pro's out there (I know when I can easily answer myself without looking in books, it give me pleasure to answer those kinds of questions, so here goes...) Please include the missing information. --Micro-train truck types:-- 1- Archbar Trucks: covers the period of 19__ to 19__ 2- Andrews Trucks: covers the period of 19__ to 19__ 3- Bettendorf Trucks: covers the period of 19__ to 19__ 4- Roller Bearing Trucks: covers the period of 19__ to 19__ (I know some should probably start with 18__ but I don't know which ones.) 5- Are there other types available in Z-scale ? From other companies than MTL ? 6- Were is the best place to purchase trucks? (Beside monster on the web which is a really good supply source) 7- Are Z truck only sold and available per unit ? no bulk? Thanks everyone.
Well, I can't fill in most of the blanks but I can say that Rolling Bearing trucks would actually go up through the present, 2006. Randy
This is what I could find on the internett about the subject. If it is 100% correct I dont know. Archbar trucks: Common until WWI, some still made through the 1920's. Banned from interchange service in 1938, but found on MOW & other captive-service cars long after that. Bettendorf trucks: Became norm in 1920's and lasted into the 1960's? Andrews trucks: Mid- to late 1910s design, a cast steel version of the archbar truck Quite popular throughout the 1920s, when Bettendorf become the norm. Lasted in revenue service into the 1950s. Solid bearing trucks were common thru the 1960s. Rare today. [The ICC banned them from interchange service in the 1990's, as well as roller bearing trucks that had been converted from solid bearing trucks.] Roller bearing trucks: • 1966 required for all new and rebuilt 100-ton cars. • 1968 required for all new cars. • 1970 required for all rebuilt cars.
Thanks guys I also got my anwers at http://www.zscale.org/articles/couplers.html Now for question 6 and 7. 6- Were is the best place to purchase trucks? (Beside monster on the web which is a really good supply source) 7- Are Z truck only sold and available per unit ? no bulk?
contact MTL re: purchasing their trucks (or trucks w/couplers) in bulk. I would imagine that they will sell them provided you agree to certain restrictions
MTL has cancelled their OEM program and no longer sell couplers and trucks in bulk. All comes pre packaged. I would suggest contacting a MTL dealer to place your order. I am sure most will work with you on a large order. I do the same for the couplers and trucks I purchase for the Alan Curtis Models and soon to be future items we sell. Rob
