I'd like to build an interurban passenger trolley using a Bachmann coach. Whose power trucks would work best ?
Perhaps something along these lines.
Perhaps something along these lines.
Building an Interurban
- Thread starter Madman
- Start date
Try G bits They sell hartland bogies with side frames pretty close to the Bachmann bogies
My own interurban is fitted with these
It is also based on a Bachmann coach
G-bits is UK and Madman is normally in the USA. Anyway, forget the power trucks for the moment, 'cos there used to be a place that produced interurban resin ends for Bachmann coaches - can't remember the name just now, but they did quite a few trolley bits.
Hartland are probably easiest for power bogies in the US
Hartland are probably easiest for power bogies in the US
G-bits is UK and Madman is normally in the USA. Anyway, forget the power trucks for the moment, 'cos there used to be a place that produced interurban resin ends for Bachmann coaches - can't remember the name just now, but they did quite a few trolley bits.
Hartland are probably easiest for power bogies in the US
The company was Light Rail Products and they seem to be defunct. Quite a few buts of useful info on this thread:
Bachmann trolley conversion. - myLargescale.com > Community > Forums
P.S. Hartland make a very nice Interurban.
That's what I was thinking ofThe company was Light Rail Products and they seem to be defunct. Quite a few buts of useful info on this thread:
Bachmann trolley conversion. - myLargescale.com > Community > Forums
P.S. Hartland make a very nice Interurban.
shame they're gone 
A few years ago, when I motorized a couple of bachmann Jackson Sharpe coaches (passenger and a combine) to make 'invisible' helpers for my steam locos on my heavy gradients, I utilised USA Trains '44 tonner' bogies as these where practically bang on for wheel base and had the weight and power that I needed (the HLW are good but a bit lightweight).
I also used Aristocraft 'centrecab' bogies to do the same for Bachmann Stockcars as the wheelbase again was almost the same as the Bachmann bogie.
Here is the thread for the Combine motorising:
Motorising a Bachmann combine to make a 'helper' - G Scale Central
And for the info, the Stock car process:
Motorising of some rolling stock to 'help' weak locos up slopes. - G Scale Central
I also used Aristocraft 'centrecab' bogies to do the same for Bachmann Stockcars as the wheelbase again was almost the same as the Bachmann bogie.
Here is the thread for the Combine motorising:
Motorising a Bachmann combine to make a 'helper' - G Scale Central
And for the info, the Stock car process:
Motorising of some rolling stock to 'help' weak locos up slopes. - G Scale Central
I ordered two replacement powered trucks for my USA Trains center cab 44 ton switcher last year. I specifically asked for the non-traction tired variety. I'd rather have wheel slip than risk damage to the USA, not so well designed axles.
At one point I had a trolley line, albeit short, on my garden railway. I laid track on 1 1/2" thick concrete slabs, placed track on them, then covered it all with latex floor leveler. The floor leveler is used in construction to smooth out uneven floors prior to setting new tile, carpeting or vinyl tile.
You can see it here;
Delightful. Thanks MM. Ah floor leveller - you can tell I'm a DIY no-hoper! Once had a short double track street section using mortar, from which I gouged out the flange gap. But alas points/turnouts at this scale need hand building I fear.