GHQ Depressed Center Flat Car with 28" wheels

[garethashenden]

I'm trying to get these to a lower ride height. From the diagram I have, the top of the center should be 23 7/8" above the rail height. As I measure it with the recommended trucks and couplers it's much closer to 4' than 2'. The diagram also shows that at least the B&M cars has 28" wheels, not 33". So I've fitted FVM 28" wheels and now it's obvious that the bolsters need to be shortened and the 1015 couplers replaced with under-slung (2004?) couplers.

That all seems pretty straight forward, but here's where I'm having trouble. With the 28" wheels in the MTL trucks, the sideframe of the truck is very close to hitting the top of the rails. What's the solution to this? Are there special "Bettendorf" trucks for 28" wheels that I need to get? Or should I modify the ones I have?

[Sokramiketes]

I'm trying to get these to a lower ride height. From the diagram I have, the top of the center should be 23 7/8" above the rail height. As I measure it with the recommended trucks and couplers it's much closer to 4' than 2'. The diagram also shows that at least the B&M cars has 28" wheels, not 33". So I've fitted FVM 28" wheels and now it's obvious that the bolsters need to be shortened and the 1015 couplers replaced with under-slung (2004?) couplers.

That all seems pretty straight forward, but here's where I'm having trouble. With the 28" wheels in the MTL trucks, the sideframe of the truck is very close to hitting the top of the rails. What's the solution to this? Are there special "Bettendorf" trucks for 28" wheels that I need to get? Or should I modify the ones I have?

The sideframe is close buy doesn't actually drag, right? 

You're doing it correctly.  The easiest thing to search is triple deck autoracks, you'll see the sideframes close to the rail heads with the 28" wheels.

[towl1996]

I seem to recall a prior thread on this car, did you use the search function? I recall the wheels/trucks were discussed.

[Lemosteam]

Yep right here...

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=36161.msg428003#msg428003

[bbussey]

I didn't use MTL Bettendorfs for my New Haven kitbashed units.  I modified Con-Cor low-profile truck frames fitted with 28" wheels and filed the pewter bolsters down.

Other options are now available as well, such as the Barber truck frames from Atlas fitted with FVM 28" wheels (as on ESM's GSC well car).  They will lower the model without having to file the bolsters.  I also would avoid MTL trucks due to the offset bolster-pin hole.