Aristocraft bogie question

5H17

5H17

Railways and Diesel preservation, American cars
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Hi peeps. I've not posted here in a while, since my railway got dismantled to move house (which then never happened!). We've now decided to stay put, so the railway will be getting put back in due course.

I have a question for the Aristo experts out there in the meantime. Are there any Alco Co-Co 3 axle bogies in existence? I've had a look around and I can only find 2 axle Bo-Bo bogies from Aristo.

I have a daft idea to convert one of these:
http://gscaletrains.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/rs3.png

Into one of these:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39896969@N05/4249294840

I'm not even sure if Aristo (or anyone else for that matter..) has ever made an RSC-2 in G scale, but I have two of those RS-3's and fancy having a bash. Any suggestions gratefully received ;D
 
I have models of an Alco PA-1 and PB-1 both of which have 3-axle trucks, but I can't remember offhand whether they are by Aristo or USA Trains. Getting old.
 
They are USA Trains products and, according to their website, you can buy the motor blocks and sideframes as spares.
 
Ahh... I didn't look at USAT stuff. That might be the way to go then. Thanks Fridge. Much obliged.
 
The 'Flicker' link just takes me to a generic 'join flicker' page..

Aristo do three axle bogied loco's, but you may find the parts hard to come by.. They are also quite power-hungry, and can draw quite a current even before they get worn.
 
I think the comments in your post really refer to USATrains rather than Aristo, Phil. USAT locos are known as power hungry, Aristo were not. Some parts and replacement bits are still available in the UK but only from those suppliers who regularly stocked Aristo. As Aristo ceased trading over a year ago their models and parts are becoming scarce.
Generally speaking USATrains parts have to be purchase direct from the USA.
 
The Aristo three axle bogie was used in the SD45 and Dash 9.

I may have a spare new unused one but will have to check my wheel and motor box to see if it is an Aristo or USAT variety.
If you are interested, drop me a pm.
As Devonian already stated, the Aristo bogies are generally less thirsty than the USAT ones. But the three axle jobs are nearly the same powerdraw-wise. This is due to the fact that Aristo use two motors in their bogies compared to USAT only one (but slightly bigger).

Here are a couple of photos showing the differences between the two.
The USAT one has a swinging axle so as to enable the locos to go around tighter curves (even if they do look naff doing it)

Aristo bogie with the twin motors and fixed axles:

sd45_truck_opened.jpg

USAT with the articulated axle and pick-up skates:

usat three axle bogie.jpg
 
Thanks for posting those pics. Quite interesting. I only have 2 truck Aristo locos and no USAT locos - I avoided them due to the higher power draw as I operate battery mostly.
 
Have a Dash9 here, and it will not run motors and sound (Phoenix) from a 3Amp Power Supply.. :o :o
 
PhilP said:
Have a Dash9 here, and it will not run motors and sound (Phoenix) from a 3Amp Power Supply.. :o :o
Click to expand...

That'll be the four motors then...... :o
 
beavercreek said:
That'll be the four motors then...... :o
Click to expand...
Yep..
That, and trying to use 'button 9' for something.. No joy on combination of Massoth an Digitrax CS..
Thibk it has something to do with 'light key' allocation between the two systems??
 
beavercreek said:
Aristo bogie with the twin motors and fixed axles:

[attachment=0][/attachment]
Click to expand...
Is that a loco with working suspension?

By the looks of it the axles can slide sideways to accommodate curves.
 
Beddhist said:
Is that a loco with working suspension?

By the looks of it the axles can slide sideways to accommodate curves.
Click to expand...
The Aristo axles have a small amount of lateral movement (as do the USAT ones) but they also 'rock' slightly, pivoting on the central gearing, to allow for uneven track.
 
Some interesting replies and some food for thought. Thanks folks.
Didn't realise nobody can see the flickr picture. It's a portuguese 1500, which is basically an Alco RSC-2.
 
I found once on the Flickr home page I can paste in the address and I get to see the pic. Weird...
 
5H17 said:
Some interesting replies and some food for thought. Thanks folks.
Didn't realise nobody can see the flickr picture. It's a portuguese 1500, which is basically an Alco RSC-2.
Click to expand...
I saw the photo of the 1500 okay....
 
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