MTL Flexi-Coil trucks appropriate for other CR models?

[bbussey]

What other Conrail models are the new MTL Flexi-Coil trucks valid for?  The Life-Like SW1200 (which I assume would be a simple swap)?  The Arnold SW1?  Any of the Atlas Geeps or Dash-Ones?

[ai5629]

I was thinking about the same thing.  It sounds like you know that Conrail's ex NH SW1200's had flex coil trucks. They are CR 9363-9381.  I also found that the Reading's second order of SW1500's came with flexcoil trucks and the thicker frame.  These are CR 9610-9619.  There are examples of each in Wither's Conrail Motive Power Review 1986-1991.  I hope this helps.

Jeff

[bbussey]

I assumed those SW1200 units had Flexi-Coil trucks in the Conrail era, but I don't know for certain and I'm uncertain they were delivered to New Haven with that configuration. That would be another Life-Like unit in need of upgrading if that's the case. Am I incorrect in inferring from your statement that not all Conrail SW1200s had Flexi-Coil trucks?  If true, then the two road numbers on the LL units would have to be verified as well.

I have the Withers book. I will do some research. Thanks.

[ai5629]

All SW1200's Conrail inherited from RDG, PC (nee PRR) and EL came with standard AAR Type B trucks according to Withers.   I hope this answer's your question.  Thanks.

Jeff

[jmlaboda - RIP]

No CR Geeps had them... though up in Canada a group of CN GP9s in the lower 4200-series did have them.  Not sure what the reason was but I suspect that it might have had something to do with weight limits on some branchlines yet oddly enough some actually saw use on passenger trains on occasion with a steam generator car in tow.

No SW1s were ever built with them by and large because the AAR-A trucks were sufficient for the needs of those small switchers.  SW1s were discontinued before Flexicoil trucks were introduced.

All SW1200's Conrail inherited from RDG, PC (nee PRR) and EL came with standard AAR Type B trucks according to Withers.

True, but the NH units did have them.



I trucks on the vast majority of EMD switchers as well as many other builders were called AAR type A trucks... there is no such thing as AAR type B though some folks falsely believe that the ALCO B-truck is called that.  Click Here to learn more.

[Missaberoad]

If true, then the two road numbers on the LL units would have to be verified as well.

I have the Withers book. I will do some research. Thanks.

9342 and 9344 both have AAR style trucks, but at some point they were converted to roller bearings...
Did Lifelike do any other numbers?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/conrailman/19180169051
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4154352

[bbussey]

9342 and 9344 both have AAR style trucks, but at some point they were converted to roller bearings...
Did Lifelike do any other numbers?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/conrailman/19180169051
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4154352

MTL makes the roller-bearing AAR truck frames.

[Missaberoad]

MTL makes the roller-bearing AAR truck frames.

Excellent... The only question would be when were they converted.

I couldn't find a picture of PC 9023 but here is a 1973 photo of PC 9025 (CR 9344) already converted...
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/pc/pc9025ags.jpg

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That reminds me... at some point I should probably get one or two of these kits and do some other SW1500 numbers. I do love them so...

But, I don't think you're going to find many non-SW1500s that used them in the CR fleet. Maybe a pocket of SW1200s, but I feel like I'd remember them if I saw them, as being odd.

You've been through these, right?
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/ConrailEquipment/Locomotives/EMD/SW1200

[Ed Kapuscinski]

And... no sooner did I write than then I saw this:
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9369-at-W-Springfield-MA

So, it looks like at least one SW1200 had them in the CR era, and it's your area (ish) too...

I think you've gotta do it now!



And write about it for the Conrail Quarterly. I'm sure Rudy would love an article on it.

[coosvalley]

Some Reading Flexicoil love...

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/112746/Scanned%20Image%20141900018.jpg

And then there's this....

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures/5233/zzUntitled-3b.JPG

[bbussey]

And... no sooner did I write than then I saw this:
http://conrailphotos.thecrhs.org/Images/CR-9369-at-W-Springfield-MA

So, it looks like at least one SW1200 had them in the CR era, and it's your area (ish) too...

I think you've gotta do it now!

And write about it for the Conrail Quarterly. I'm sure Rudy would love an article on it.

It was stated up-thread that the Conrail prototypes for the two numbers on the Life-Like units had AAR (roller-bearing I assume) truck frames.  But it would appear any former NH units would have the FCs.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It was stated up-thread that the Conrail prototypes for the two numbers on the Life-Like units had AAR (roller-bearing I assume) truck frames.  But it would appear any former NH units would have the FCs.

Yeah. I was just surprised. I love pups, and I thought I had seen every photo that had been uploaded to the site. But then every once in a while I get surprised.

[Spikre]

 
  the New Haven units were bought as Multi-Taskers,think RS-1 here.
  so they went deluxe with Flexis , but not full  railings,and what looks to
  be one of the regular fuel tanks.
   the Reading units were part of a general up-grading they were doing,
  and since it was on C&Os dimes they went 1st class sort of.they were
  mainly purging 40s and early 50s switchers.
   but in general Flexis on north east coast power weren't that common.
  Vermont Rail did have an SW1500 or 2 on Flexis.
  how about the Rock unit that ran with one Flexi and one Type A for
  a number of years,,,,interesting !
         Spikre
         

[Spikre]

 
   seems that EMD was one of the Forces needling the AAR to Ban the Alco
  Blunt truck.
  they didn't seem to want to offer an inferior truck to the market.
  one thing for certain is that Alco Switcher sales declined rapidly when they
  switched to the Type A truck.
  also staying at 1000 HP may have had some effect when the other builders
  were all at 1200 HP.
  so then EMD offers the Flexi Coil truck with in 3 years of the Blunt being outlawed.
  put this development in the same category the WPB didn't help EMD get a jump
  on Road Units after the War was over.
  why wasn't the Flexi Coil offered to the other Builders ?
  am sure Alco wouldn't have liked doing it,but would have offered the Blunt to the
  other Builders if the AAR ordered them to do so.
   just something to think about.
       Spikre