Question About Great Northern Trucks

[Jeffinslaw]

Hi guys,

I need some input on the trucks I am currently using for my Great Northern Empire Builder. Here is a picture of the trucks I am currently using:

Great Northern Trucks by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr

This design is based on Vinnie Fusca's design which can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/36177188@N03/25140899732/in/faves-66978304@N07/

 

However, I don't think the trucks I am using are all that accurate for the build... so I would appreciate some suggestions on that part! I do know the trucks I have designed will work great for my eventual Olympian Hiawatha. So could someone point me in the direction of the trucks used for the Empire Builder? The train used a mix of Budd, ACF, GN, and Pullman Standard. It would be great if I could find examples of each truck used for each manufacture and then go from there.

Thanks! -Jeffinslaw

[CrispyBassist]

I think the thing that looks most off to me about these is the lack of a bar at the bottom. I'd also recommend bringing the bars up one plate (i.e. moving them up to where the 1x1 round plates just under the tiles are).

I did a cursory Google search and came up with a lot of HO or N scale models of cars, which often have prototypically correct trucks (at least the higher-end ones). Are you using the brass tube or ball bearing method for the wheelsets? If so you could try my method of building them with 1x1 round plates on the end of the wheels which give a nice look like roller bearings (click for video): 

Roller Bearings by Matt Csenge, on Flickr

Just my thoughts. I like builds with detailed trucks, I think it adds a lot, so I'm happy to help. 

Edited January 13, 2017 by CrispyBassist

[Jeffinslaw]

Thanks for the reply @CrispyBassist in those trucks I posted, I am using the ball bearing method, or rather plan to. Alright, I will rework them and see if I can get a better look. My other issue is trying to get it to fit into a 6 wide or 6.5 wide package so it looks okay with my 6 wide cars. I'm not quite ready to commit to 8 wide just yet.

I wasn't really able to find any good pictures of the trucks for these cars. I found pictures from when Walthers did a run in HO scale but no pictures I can zoom in on which is a shame.

-Jeffinslaw

*EDIT* What do you think now?

GN Empire Builder Trucks - Updated by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr

-Jeffinslaw

Edited January 13, 2017 by Jeffinslaw

[legoman666]

clever use of the pistol, did it come in black?

[Jeffinslaw]

21 minutes ago, legoman666 said:

clever use of the pistol, did it come in black?

Thanks! Luckily it does. A little pricy though http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?colorID=11&itemID=1952

-Jeffinslaw

[CrispyBassist]

Nice rework! I like the pistols too, never thought of using them like that. Ball bearings are a good choice. I've been amazed at how well they work, especially for long trains with heavy cars.