P48 Wood Beam Trucks

[AlkemScaleModels]

One of the members of the ACWRRHS is planning a P48 ACW layout. So I modified the design of my wooden beam trucks to P48. Here is a photo comparing the two.

I posted some more info on my blog. So you be the judge, is the difference worth converting all those SMR locomotives to P48? I know what my answer is…

[ednadolski]

No question P48 takes work (esp. for steam), but a lot of that is also because of the 'finescale' mindset of most P48 modelers.

In most pics, it's pretty easy to spot the difference between the P48 and Ow5 trackage.  Comparing wheelsets is no contest.

Here is a #6 turnout I did in P48.  It was a lot of work, but not more so than any other scale where you would hand-spike everything (in fact, it's probably easier since the parts are larger).   Was this worth the effort?   For modelers who enjoy details at that level, I'm sure many would answer yes.



For full-sized images see:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/ednadolski/P48_Turnout_005-small.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/ednadolski/P48_Turnout_011-small.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/ednadolski/P48_Turnout_008-small.jpg

Ed

[tom mann]

From that angle, it is a big difference.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Yes there is a difference, about 0.060 inches in width. The difference is tire tread width was less than I thought.

In an ideal world, the SMR 4-4-0s would have been made in P48. But they are not, so I am sticking with Ow5. Too bad I am not doing the W&A RR as I would be right on.

[tom mann]

The tread width doesn't bother me, but the resultant width of the truck itself does.  I guess it's not too noticeable once they are installed.

[DKS]

It's not just the tread width, but those bulky flanges as well, which I'm sure must impact switch design. Not to mention the flat wheel backs. May not be an issue while the cars are running, but when they're up near the edge of the layout being scrutinized, I'd think it would be apparent to some degree.

[AlkemScaleModels]

In looking at these photos it occurs to me that I may be able to make the O Std truck narrower by using the same idea I used in the P48 truck. That is, make the axle hole in both the frame and the journal. That would allow the frame sides to lie closer to the wheel faces. The main problem with these wheel sets in the amount of axle that protrudes from the wheel face. The O Std wheel sets have a pointed axle to reduce friction. But if you don't rely on that point to hold the axles, and use the flat part of the axle as a bearing surface, you could make the overall truck narrower. I'm going to have to try that.

[ednadolski]

when they're up near the edge of the layout being scrutinized, I'd think it would be apparent to some degree.

Not the greatest pic. but it gives a bit of the idea:



http://www.proto48.org/p48_information.htm