Help with LBF 60' box car...Trucks/Couplers?

[ryan_wilkerson]

So I'm trying to find a good truck/coupler for the LBF 60' box car.
I have one with a Micro-Trains truck with coupler (photo below) but I'm not sure what part # this would be. Anyone recognize it?

This is the car:
http://www.blwnscale.com/lbf-box-60hi.htm

I've checked Micro-Trains conversion but don't see LBF or Huberts: https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=10
This page doesn't seem to be rendering correctly for me. https://www.micro-trains.com/conversions/

Anyone know what MTL part # I should order?
What about other options for body mounting? BLMA 100-ton trucks? Coupler?

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[djconway]

Ryan,
Can you post a side shot of the trucks.

[milw156]

Body mount with these https://www.shapeways.com/product/TT3WRZ2CD/extended-cushion-draft-gear-box-n-1-160-40x?optionId=58492180&li=user-wishlist

[Scottl]

Who has that tooling now?  Boy, it would be nice to see those re-released.

[Spades]

Who has that tooling now?  Boy, it would be nice to see those re-released.

https://www.intermountain-railway.com/distrib/valueline/valuelinen.html

[Scottl]

Thanks, I missed those somehow.  The 60' models would be nice too.

[cjm413]

So I'm trying to find a good truck/coupler for the LBF 60' box car.
I have one with a Micro-Trains truck with coupler (photo below) but I'm not sure what part # this would be. Anyone recognize it?

This is the car:
http://www.blwnscale.com/lbf-box-60hi.htm

I've checked Micro-Trains conversion but don't see LBF or Huberts: https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=10
This page doesn't seem to be rendering correctly for me. https://www.micro-trains.com/conversions/

Anyone know what MTL part # I should order?
What about other options for body mounting? BLMA 100-ton trucks? Coupler?

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Mine have Atlas 100T trucks and MTL 1025's.

[Ike the BN Freak]

If you are looking to replace with the same, looks like an MTL 1038, Barber Roller Bearing with Long extension

[ryan_wilkerson]

I'll try to get a side photo. It has 3 springs if that helps.

Based on Ike's info, I looked up the 1038 and found this chart: http://www.nscalesupply.com/Images/MTL/MTL-Trucks.gif
The measurement from the end of the coupler box to the centerline of the pin location is 0.601" which matches the #1024 (003 02 043) Barber Roller Bearing with medium extension.

I like the idea of the 3D printed extended draft gear box. I'm sure someone here has tried them and has photos posted?

The Atlas 100T...is that the BLMA ones or original Atlas? I have some of the BLMA 100T that I've test fitted and it rubs but with the MTL washer, it works fine and lowers the car. If I modified the underside of the box car floor, I could probably do without the washer and REALLY lower it. Not sure where that would land the coupler though.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[James Costello]

The measurement from the end of the coupler box to the centerline of the pin location is 0.601" which matches the #1024 (003 02 043) Barber Roller Bearing with medium extension.

Yeah, it's definitely a medium extension, on either a Barber Roller Bearing or the Roller Bearing truck.

I've got some of the Shapeways cushioned pockets but I haven't experimented yet.

If you really lower it, then there are options with underslung couplers in different pockets too.

[DMetz]

The truck shown in the original picture is definitely a MTL 1024.  The 1024 is an oddball length that is between medium and long.  MTL lists it as a "medium plus".  The medium MTL trucks have a box to centerline dimension of .501, and long trucks have a dimension of .788.  The 1024 box to centerline dimension is .601.  The only other MTL truck with this length of coupler extension is the Commonwealth BX express truck.  The 1024 is useful for these LBF/Hubert cars, and also the Atlas 60' auto boxcars.

[cjm413]

To be clear, the "right" answer is going to depend on your objective.

If you are looking to buy the same MTL trucks that you already have on another car,  it seems like the 1024 is what you are looking for.

From the perspective of someone that has nothing but contempt for truck-mounted couplers, the "right" answer is to look to the prototype for guidance.

Given the MTL 1024 is not a 100T truck, I consider it to be  useless for a 100T car...aside from removing the couplers and reusing them in MTL 1025 coupler boxes.   Those nice Shapeways coupler boxes weren't available at the time...

Going back to the trucks, the original Atlas 100T trucks are compatible with the stock bolsters.   I haven't tried the MTL 100T trucks (also unavailable at the time), but those should also work.

[cjm413]

[cjm413]

And yes, I need to get off my @$$ and weather this car

[Wutter]

I like the idea of the 3D printed extended draft gear box. I'm sure someone here has tried them and has photos posted?

Hey Ryan,

I actually designed those extended draft gear boxes for Mike on Trainboard awhile back, his build/review thread is here which details it with pictures and how it looks assembled:

http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/the-best-coupler-box-is-here.89213/

Let me know if you have any questions about the product!
Alvin