Athearn Coalporter: Replacement Trucks

[cjm413]

Just didn't like the way the rolled.

New wheelsets could fix that problem.

[cjm413]

So many of my freight cars cry out for a Trainworx drop in conversion. After they did the Atlas hoppers I wanted them to do everything else that comes with truck mounted couplers.

Conversions for the Precision Masters/Red Caboose covered hoppers are forthcoming.

[ljudice]

Ive never used the unimate bodymount. 

I take it it mounts with a screw - but how does it get side to side play?

[Missaberoad]

New wheelsets could fix that problem.

This... FVM or micro trains wheelsets roll brilliantly in Athearn trucks...

[cjm413]

Ive never used the unimate bodymount. 

I take it it mounts with a screw - but how does it get side to side play?

If you have the MTL 00-90 tap & drill set, use the #56 "clearance drill" to enlarge the hole before mounting in place with a 00-90 screw.  I also prefer to use shorter 3/16" flathead screws than the MTL screws.

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&search=1059&description=true&product_id=568

https://www.walthers.com/00-90-brass-flat-head-machine-screws-3-16-x-047-quot-48-x-12cm-pkg-12

[nkalanaga]

If you have fairly wide curves (15 inch is enough) they really don't need the side play.  There's enough slop in them, or working N couplers, to allow the cars to go through curves.

That said, the only time I used one of these I did just what cjm413 suggested - drill out the hole and mount with a 00-90 screw.  if  there's too much vertical play, a small washer will keep the coupler straight, but I didn't have a problem with that.

If you use the hole closest to the coupler, there's no reason you can't cut the extra off, but leaving it on will help keep the coupler from sagging.