USATC Bogies

[Peaky 556]

Hi all,
I'll start by saying I know nothing of wagons or trucks, troublesome or otherwise!
Below is a pic of a USATC bogie, which I think dates from WW2, for which I've had an enquiry.  I have a feeling that some modern trucks use one rather similar in appearance, and I'm sure I have seen such an image on this forum.  My questions are...
* Is there a modern equivalent looking much the same, and if so what is the wheelbase?
* Who might be able to supply such a thing?
Many thanks,
Tim

[John Candy]

Looks very much like a Bettendorf truck.
Somewhere I have drawings and articles on the USATC wagons from WW2.
When I have a moment to spare, I will see what I can find out.
Regards,
John.

[Peaky 556]

John, thank you.  If I have to make them then any drawings and photos would be superb, but if someone on this forum or in the society already makes them, or something very similar with a wheelbase of around 1695mm, then I'm not going to "reinvent the wheel"
Regards, Tim

[Doddy]

50 Ton Bettendorf 5' 6" Truck Kits $125

https://www.cumberlandmodelengineering.com/CMEProductsTrucks.html

[Andy B]

Tim,
Maybe you remembered seeing this thread: http://g3forum.org.uk/index.php/topic,858.msg4534.html#msg4534?

1695mm is around 5'6" in old money...
I have some drawings for a riveted plate frame bogie with 5'6" w/b, and a fabricated frame (like Keith's) with 6' w/b.

I'll see if I can find anything on cast frame examples, if that's what is really wanted.

Andy

[John Candy]

50 Ton Bettendorf 5' 6" Truck Kits $125

https://www.cumberlandmodelengineering.com/CMEProductsTrucks.html

Are these Gauge 3?
Description appears to suggest they may be "F Scale 1:20.32

John.

[Andy B]

A bit more looking - the nearest modern bogie is probably the TF25; has a much flatter top and roller bearings.
The USATC is more like a cast version of the fabricated 'diamond frame' bogie that was around in per-grouping days.

Andy

[Doddy]

See Paul Bartletts page on bogie designs https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/bogies

Wallsall do the plate frame for ICI Wagons and the Modernish Gloucester Bogie Frame



https://www.walsallmodelindustries.co.uk/product.php/gloucester_bogie_frames/?k=:::6820622

[Doddy]

Are these Gauge 3?
Description appears to suggest they may be "F Scale 1:20.32

John.

No - but all it takes is for Tim to contact them and get a set printed in G3 scale - they are CAD designed and can be printed in any scale.

[Peaky 556]

Thanks all for the rapid and constructive replies!  Also for correctly identifying the wheelbase would have been in imperial units (doh!). 
Here's another view of the bogie frame required, so the Kippo Models 'centre of resin casting expertise' and I will think around ways of reproducing them!



Andy,
That model of Keith's seems to have plate frames and leaf springs, not quite the open cast frame design of the USATC.
Doddy,
Cumberland's don't seem to have quite the same model, and if I was paying that that price I would want it to be exactly right!  The Andrews 50 ton design seems the nearest.
Best regards,
Tim

[Traininvain]

Tim

I believe that the National 2.5in Gauge Association do scale lost wax brass castings for the Andrews pattern freight bogies which are also featured on the Cumberland website

Here's the email address: castings@n25ga.org

cheers

Ian

[Andy B]

Good spot Ian.
The loco design is here - http://www.n25ga.org/Designs/WD%20Designs/S160/US%20Austerity%20by%20LBSC.htm

Castings page is here: http://www.n25ga.org/Shop/Castings/Cylinder%20Castings.htm
Casting references US1 or possibly FA1.

Andy

[Doddy]

I will think around ways of reproducing them!

Cumberlands 50 Ton USRA Andrews Brass sideframes cut by Wire FDM might help with the design assessment.

[John Candy]

The bogie in the first post appears to be the same as that fitted to the tenders of the S160 USATC locos, in which case it should be the same as the N2.5GA offering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USATC_S160_Class#/media/File:USATC-5740_locomotive.jpg

Here is another USATC wagon (in SNCF service) with those bogies.
https://gibitrains.pagesperso-orange.fr/train/proto/simotra-citerne-tc.jpg

John.

[Peaky 556]

Thanks all.  Interesting there are so many uses of this diamond bogie; it might increase the potential market!
Meanwhile, and recognising that whilst the N2.5G castings are probably very good, and strong in gunmetal, they are also relatively expensive.  The design for plastic moulding has progressed as below, all credit to Eddie at Kippo Models:



The intention is to resin mould these as decorative side-frames, and fasten to a one-piece rigid steel stretcher-cum-backplate.  Axles would run in plain brass bushes, and I'm thinking that with such a short wheelbase, dedicated suspension won't be necessary but instead provided by a bit of bogie rock.
If anyone would like to be kept in the loop on progress then please PM.
Best regards,
Tim