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Scratch-build a 1:20.3 scale 29’-6” Flatcar<br />
Chapter 3 – Installing Trucks, Couplers & Brakes<br />
By <strong>Wayne</strong> <strong>Spence</strong><br />
Brisbane, Australia<br />
The Trucks<br />
For this flatcar project, I will be using as my preference, Hartford Products cast white metal truck<br />
kits. I find that these trucks have excellent detail and because of their weight, track very well<br />
over less than perfect track. There are many other manufactures building prototypical cast trucks,<br />
which can purchased as detail parts, so I will leave the type of truck you wish to use as your<br />
personal choice. I will also show how the “standard” Bachmann truck can be used with body<br />
mounted couplers and be fitted with brake beams.<br />
HP-T001-26<br />
Archbar trucks with 26”<br />
diameter trucks<br />
HP-T003<br />
D&RGW 3’-7” trucks<br />
HP-T004<br />
Carter Brothers swing motion 4’<br />
The Couplers<br />
Most narrow gauge Colorado roads use a ¾ size knuckle coupler, with the exception of the<br />
D&RGW who choose to fitted all their rolling stock with standard gauge size knuckle couplers.<br />
This chapter will describe how I fit body-mounted couplers to the flatcar. Body mounting<br />
couplers will require a minimum track curve radius of four feet. The couplers I will be using for<br />
this car will be Accucrafts 1:20.3 knuckle type. An option for installing Kadees #1 gauge 820<br />
series or “G” gauge 830 series can also be installed on this car.<br />
Bachmann’s truck mounted couplers will be able to be used if consideration is given to the<br />
clearances required from the body-mounted details, such as the brake valve and air hose.
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