Hi All! I have at least 4 Trix U28Cs. All run really well, quiet and they pull a lot. But they have open pilots, Rapido couplers and terrible bodies. Since I have several Atlas C-630 bodies, I decided to try to fit the Trix chassis to the C-630/C-628. It will not work as I would need to grind the nose down so far, the front worm gear would lose all support. So I am going to try a Kato U30C,and root arond to find something. But has anyone tried to fit the chassis under another body? If so which one? Thanks! Bruce
Is the Kato mechanism for the C-630, or the shell for the Trix mechanism? I am looking for a shell for the Trix Mechanism. Bruce
the issue with the old Trix mechs is the width, and they are a 50 year old design. A modern electric motor is a lot narrower
Micro-Trains Item 1049 Conversion Kit will provide M-T couplers for your U-28Cs, but it won't fill in the pilot.
Oops, sorry Bruce I got that wrong. I hadn't realised you wanted to put a modern shell on the Trix mechanism. The only one that has a chance of fitting would be the Kato U30C or C30-7 shell. To be sure, if you measure the inside of Trix U28C shell with calipers and maybe someone on TB has a U30C shell they could do an inside measurement of the shell, then you could compare the two measurements to see if it would fit before procuring the new shell. An Atlas Alco 628 / 630 would not fit, Atlas mechanisms and shells are narrower than Kato. I would be surprised if anyone has done this, it's usually slipping Kato U30C / C30-7 mechanism under a Trix U28C shell.
Well I tried the Atlas C-628, C-630 and Sd60 and SD-60M, Kato U30C and C30-7 and the Bachmann 8-40CW. The main problem area is in the cab area of the Trix Chassis. It is too wide. So I ground it down to where it is the same width as the rest of the chassis and....the Bachmann 8-40C shell fits. So I have one shell now I need 3 more. When I find one, I will also see if the 8-40C shell will fit. Bruce
I can't offer much help here. I've tried various replacements and each time it turns into a real problem. The only success I had was taking a Trix F9 and putting it on a Life Like F7 chassis. That worked fine, not great and I eventually sold the Trix/Life like units to a customer on E-pay. While trolling around on E-pay, I found those same units. Looks like the new owner tired of them and passed the set on to someone else. I don't think it was the answer either one of us was looking for. I know that didn't help but thought you ought to know my frustrations. I've waited along time for replacement frames/chassis to no avail. The best to you!
