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Source of parts for US rolling stock conversion?
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boxcab Offline
#1 Posted : 20 September 2011 17:41:13(UTC)
boxcab


Joined: 31/08/2010(UTC)
Posts: 53
Location: central coast california
Greetings: fair warning: another question from Mr. Newbie.

In regard to the topic:
http://www.marklin-users...-Cars--For-Marklin.aspx
I understand we need trucks and couplers to convert US-made cars:

But where the heck can a person get parts to undertake these conversions?

I've looked high and low: here's one example (from the big US distributor)

http://www.walthers.com/...tinfo/442-323110Marklin Parts
TRUCK FOR 4571+ 2/PK
Walthers Part # 442-323110
A scale, $26.25, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: Unknown


Thanks,

Boxcab,
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Loadmaster Offline
#2 Posted : 20 September 2011 18:26:50(UTC)
Loadmaster

United States   
Joined: 03/02/2010(UTC)
Posts: 853
Location: So Cal
Check some of the retailers in Germany that have been mentioned on this form.
I'm sure that some of the members here can assist you since many of them purchase from German retailers.

Robert
HOac and Z scale running SBB/BLS Era IV-V
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5HorizonsRR Offline
#3 Posted : 20 September 2011 18:41:29(UTC)
5HorizonsRR


Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 1,807
Location: San Francisco, California
Hi there boxcab. A tip I can give you is to buy US cars that have NEM coupler pockets. Then all you need to do is pop in a Marklin coupler and you are done! The wheels should n't be a problem if you are using the C or K type tracks, however they may be if you are using the older M style track.

Marklin seels couplers by the 50 pack, which should convert 25 cars. When bought in this bulk I think price per car isn't too bad
SBB Era 2-5 and USA Era 2-3 East Coast
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kbvrod Offline
#4 Posted : 20 September 2011 19:23:17(UTC)
kbvrod

United States   
Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 2,060
Location: Beverly, MA
Hi all,

Quote:
A tip I can give you is to buy US cars that have NEM coupler pockets.


Who sells those?

Dr D
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Frankenbahner Offline
#5 Posted : 20 September 2011 21:26:27(UTC)
Frankenbahner


Joined: 15/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 493
Location: Nuremberg, Bavaria
As I was the one who started that topic about AC conversion of US cars, let's give you a few tips.

When I need spare parts from Märklin/Trix or Roco/Fleischmann, I'm going to contact "APC Adams". They are specialized on providing spare parts frome these and a few other firms, and they are very reliable.

RP25 wheels didn't really work well on my C tracks, but there are fitting AC wheels available. Check modellbahn-radsatz.de.

When you're going to buy Trix US cars, which come with RP25 wheels and Kadee couplers, ask the seller (or dealer) to change them. If he doesn't do it, ask Märklin. I once bought some Trix sets, and sent the RP25 wheelsets and Kadee couplers to Märklin, who sent me back AC wheelsets and Märklin close couplers.

Brawa once had NEM coupler pockets for US cars, but these are no longer available.

Or try to get Mehano 12344, which is a NEM loop-and-hook coupler for US (MNRA) coupler pockets. However, I don't if this part is still available, after Mehano shut down their prodution in Slovenia and moved to China.

Regards,
Florian
H0 3-rail AC with DCC, MM and mfx, 2-rail DC streetcars, and N gauge
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boxcab Offline
#6 Posted : 21 September 2011 04:17:58(UTC)
boxcab


Joined: 31/08/2010(UTC)
Posts: 53
Location: central coast california
Greetings again...

I dug more into this topic using hints given here:

So far I still cannot find:

A) Where I can obtain new "US Cars" with NEM couplers (but I did find the Marklin couplers for the pockets).
B) Where I can positivly obtain retrofit parts for other cars: old ones, like shown in the post I referenced.



Any more suggestons?

Thanks,

Boxcab
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boxcab Offline
#7 Posted : 26 September 2011 01:31:12(UTC)
boxcab


Joined: 31/08/2010(UTC)
Posts: 53
Location: central coast california
Uh....been watching for a responses for 5 days...

I can't find these cars or parts "nowheres".

Any suggestions regarding where the heck we can get the parts for US conversions?

Out of desperation for more "US" rolling stock, I just considered hacking into a M-made 4 wheel-truck green-colored "Texaco" car I have...she may be a victim.

I feel sorry for the poor little thing: she never did nobody wrong. She's quivering, knowing the ax is getting ready to fall.

I may wait 'till after the hunting season. Maybe a savior will arrive.

Anyone?

Regards,

Boxcab
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jvuye Offline
#8 Posted : 26 September 2011 07:19:54(UTC)
jvuye

France   
Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,269
Location: France
Originally Posted by: boxcab Go to Quoted Post
Uh....been watching for a responses for 5 days...

I can't find these cars or parts "nowheres".

Any suggestions regarding where the heck we can get the parts for US conversions?

Out of desperation for more "US" rolling stock, I just considered hacking into a M-made 4 wheel-truck green-colored "Texaco" car I have...she may be a victim.

I feel sorry for the poor little thing: she never did nobody wrong. She's quivering, knowing the ax is getting ready to fall.

I may wait 'till after the hunting season. Maybe a savior will arrive.

Anyone?

Regards,

Boxcab


Hello Boxcab
Maybe your question is too vague...so it is hard to give you a useful answer.
I did a lot of conversions when I was still living in California running a Märklin Service Station, so I can tell you it is hard to give a "one size fits all" answer!
I could have given you the name of my successor, but unfortunately, the nice man passed away a couple of months ago.

There are two things to consider when modifying to run US type rolling stock to Märklin 3-rail: wheels and couplers

For couplers, I solved the problem "backwards"BigGrin : it is relatively simple to find conversion parts to Kadee couplers for most US brands
I just then used NEM pocket Kadee units on my US locos (Big Boy, Alco PA, Mikado, etc..)

The second problem, the wheels, is (much) more complicated!

Two problems here: wheels' spacing and flange depth

Marklin flanges are deeper, most US flanges will not provide reliable operation on switches, etc.
Spacing (measured inside the flanges is 13.8 mm for Märklin, 14.2 mm for 2 rail equipement.

You can try to simply reduce spacing on the original wheelsets
Tools to this purpose can be found at NWSL ( www.NWSL.com).

But in most case , the only solution is to replace the wheelsets or the whole bogies with Märklin's.
This however may need a little patience, I have no idea how well Walthers has the spare parts supply organised.

Your best move may be to join ETE (www.ete.org) where you'll find a lot of same minded people

Sorry that I couldn't help you with more specifics.




Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learning to be better and had great success!
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