Author Topic: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car  (Read 1342 times)

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BCR 570

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Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« on: September 17, 2018, 01:09:28 AM »
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I recently acquired a nice CB&Q 50 foot PS-1 box car.  My usual practice is to install Micro-Trains trucks with FOx Valley wheels and body mount #1027 couplers.

However, this model has screw-mounted trucks and the bolster hub and screw are not compatible with the MT trucks.  I am wondering what other people have done.

The model also has a metal floor with no holes for body mount couplers so mounting #1027s is going to depend on getting hole drilled through the metal floor.

Numerous drill bits and WD40!


Any advice appreciated,

Tim
T. Horton
North Vancouver, B.C.
BCR Dawson Creek Subdivision in N Scale
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bbussey

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2018, 07:36:30 AM »
+1
For standard draft gear, I kept the original floor and trucks, swapped in FVMs, cut off the coupler arm and drilled/tapped for 1015s. The model is prototypically proportional and rides at the correct height, so no reason to swap out the truck frames. For extended draft gear, I swapped in an ESM floor and BLMA trucks.

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Bryan Busséy
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bbussey

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2018, 07:41:18 AM »
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For drilling — i mark/dimple the location of the holes, put the frame in a vice, and drill out the holes with a Dremel. Threaded the holes with a tap and WD40, half turn forward, quarter turn back, cleaning the tap every two turns or so.
Bryan Busséy
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christoph

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2018, 12:03:34 PM »
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To fit MTL trucks under Athearn cars I used a piece of soda straw as bushing.
Here is a link to a picture I posted on Trainbaord long ago : http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/mtl-truck-under-athearn-car.101279/
I replaced the Athearn trucks by MTL National trucks.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2018, 12:05:44 PM by christoph »
Christoph

BCR 570

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2018, 01:18:23 AM »
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Thank you Bryan - I figured that it was probably best to keep the trucks.  Do you recall which axle length you used in hte Athearn trucks?

Tim
T. Horton
North Vancouver, B.C.
BCR Dawson Creek Subdivision in N Scale
www.bcrdawsonsub.ca
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3MbxkZkx7zApSYCHqu2IYQ

Ike the BN Freak

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2018, 01:29:39 AM »
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Athearn should be .540"

nkalanaga

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2018, 01:50:45 AM »
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The Athearn wheels I have work fine, so you may want to keep them as well, and save a little money.

If you want extended draft gear, you can make a new box from styrene strip, and reuse the McHenrys.  That will also save some money, although the ESM floor looks better, and is probably easier.

As for drilling holes, Bryan has covered it very well.  Light oil can also be used, if you don't want to spray WD40 on your floor.  WD40 can be bought as liquid, but probably not at most hardware stores.
N Kalanaga
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wcfn100

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2018, 01:57:20 AM »
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I swapped in an ESM floor and BLMA trucks.

(Attachment Link)

Are ESM floors correct for PS cars?

Jason

bbussey

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2018, 07:03:45 AM »
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Close, but there probably are differences. I don’t run my cars upside-down though.  ;)

Also, regarding the WD40 — I spray the tap, not the part I’m tapping.
« Last Edit: September 18, 2018, 07:05:29 AM by bbussey »
Bryan Busséy
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nkalanaga

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2018, 01:34:34 AM »
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OK, that makes sense, although if I tried it, I'd probably spray the tap, the part, and everything else in the room.  I use either Labelle 108 oil, or 3-in-1 oil from the hardware store.
N Kalanaga
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narrowminded

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Re: Questions re Athearn PS-1 Box Car
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2018, 02:26:35 AM »
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For tapping fluid/ oil when drilling or tapping especially in zinc or aluminum, another thing you can do is just use some mineral spirits.  Put a little in a small jar and just dip the tap in it before to start or apply a drop with a toothpick.  Anything to keep it from running totally dry, keeping a thin barrier so the tap doesn't gall.  Easy cleanup, too.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 02:43:01 AM by narrowminded »
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