HO EMD Flexicoil twin Axle 'B' Trucks or Sideframes

[rudilfan]

Hello,

I am looking for a source for HO B (as in twin axle) Flexicoil Trucks or SideFrames as used in some SW1000 SW1500 MP15 switchers as well as some early Geeps.

I have seen looked at the Athearn Bluebox but in a idealworld would like something that have slightly crisper mouldings.  I know that Broadway Limited is coming out with an SW1500, this year/2014/2015 and that they are threatening to do versions with Flexicoil trucks, but I would like to finish a couple of projecs sooner (famous last words.....).

I know Smokey Valley inherited the Train Station Products Flexicoil B and C side frames but the B ones are not easy to find........

So, anyone got any good suggestions (I already mortgaged my firstborn for stuff on E-Bay this week, so another source would be nice.)

[CP_8530]

Try looking at another set of the Athearns, they're the best ones on the market and on par with their famed Blomberg B sideframes. They're not all plasticky like many other manufacturers' sideframes, and have good depth to them. I did a P2K conversion with some *here*.

I think Kaslo and Juneco also made Flexicoil sideframes, but the Athearns look the best. The upcoming True Line Trains SW1200RS and Rapido GMD1 will both have Flexicoils too.

[rudilfan]

I will go about again and look. The major problem (as well) is finding a bunch of them if there was someone insane enough to want to convert 5 SW100s (like me). Have to keep looking at E-Bay....

I am really looking forward to the Rapido GMD1, having fallen in love with the FP9a.....

Once upon a time I started an FP9a with a Highlihners kit but gave up whe I got to redoing the side vents and the windows, I decided to look at something easier (not) like a double ended Babyface Jersey Central A1A-A1A from a BLI Centipede set!!......(my Dr, also a kit-basher, thinks that when I begin to feel like that, I should just go and do something relaxing like drilling out Kato C44-9 Stanchions to take wire handrails).

Thanks

[jakeloyst]

MBE also has a nice set of sideframes, but in brass, and much more $$, the athearn ones are great, and beat the rest. The add on brake cylnders, look great. and the snap right on. As for the insane part, I;m right on track, there are at least 12 athearn frames, with trucks, sideframes waiting to be built. How many variations of the SW1200rs did CN and CP have??? lol, lots. The sieframes come up quite oftern on e-bay, and are in and out of stock at Athearn as well, and you can order direct from them, when they have them. Its also very convient that Athearn uses the same gears, bearing, wheelsets, in all thier trucks. I have re-assembled several dummy sets into powered units, but picking up the inards from here and there when I can grab them cheap. When I do, I usually order whatever is in stock... furture projects!

[CP_8530]

Yeah, I'd keep an eye on Horizon's parts site to see when they come back in stock. IIRC the Athearn parts site will show as "discontinued", but Horizons parts site shows as not in stock or backordered if they don't have any yet. And on that note they aren't discontinued, Athearn makes them in batches every once in a while like their Blomberg B sideframes, and you can order as many sets as you like when they become in-stock again .

[iomalley]

Honestly, IMHO, the Athearns are by far the best looking. They sometimes do require filling in a sunken depression in the plastic (in the midpoint of the sideframe) but other than that, they look like the real thing, with the brake shoes riding in line on the wheels, which no other aftermarket sideframe can accomplish.

Sometime's its cheaper to buy a full Athearn dummy SW1000 or SW1500 on ebay for the sideframes, as new trucks are $10 a piece. You could luck out and get the whole dummy for $20. Swap meets are even better...

[Hunter Hughson]

Those guys ^^^^ have it right. The Athearn sideframes are excellent.

I bought mine for SW1200RS build straight from the parts guy at Athearn. Call the number on the website.