KADEE METAL PRODUCTS
We received a sample of the proposed Kadee P48 version of their O scale trucks. Jay Criswell was contacted by Kadee and he volunteered to organize testing of a few pairs of their newest version of the freight car truck line.
The trucks are diecast metal including the wheels and weigh 1.5 oz per truck. The truck is similar to the Protocraft in terms of weight. The truck is patterned after a 50-ton Barber S-2 truck. This truck design was widely used from the early 1940s well into the early 1950s.
Kadee has designed a unique way of equalizing the truck via articulated joints designed into the bolster. The truck does seem to track very well on the test I performed. The truck uses a .062″ diamter axle running in a engineering plastic bearing inserted in the journals. It rolls well.
Kadee packages the trucks in a clear plastic box and it includes various bolster plugs and self-tapping screw for mounting. The parts allow the trucks to adapter to Atlas freight cars.
The one issue that we found is the bolster is about .040″ lower than the standard used by most other truck makers. I suspect that they will provide a proper insert to ensure that the coupler height is ok. Jay Criswell is looking at ways to fix this if Kadee doesn’t come up with a solution.
Kadee is not clear if they will sell the wheelsets and or trucks at this time. We recommend that Kadee offer a complete truck that the modeler can use without fussing around with spacers.
Looking forward to seeing the trucks and wheelsets appear in the market soon. The company has made quality products for model railroaders for many years.
TWIN STAR CARS
Ross Dando is preparing a couple new urethane kits in 1/4″ scale. Pictured above is a rebuilt USRA Double Sheathed boxcar. Steel sides with added replacing the original week siding and framing. The interior height was raise to 10’0″ like the very common AAR 1937 boxcar. The upgrade cause the unusual sidesill as the steel sides were attached to the original steel side sill. The cars retained the original fishbelly underframe and Andrews trucks. The roof was upgrade to a Murphy raised panel steel design.
The kit production is being done by Jon Cagle and will include etched parts and cast details for the Youghstown door and the brake equipment. Protocraft expects to have a correct set of decals for this car. Can’t wait to see this kit on my workbench.
SCOTT KRITZKY
There is a new set of printed Hutchins ends available for modeling the Southern SU boxcars. They are a very unique design used by several roads and defintely stand out.
I checked out the sample against the one published drawing and they are right on the button. Scott is offering a pair for $24 plus postage. Contact him directly for details.
scottkritzky at gmail dot com
Sarah Griessenböck
SARAH GRIESSENBOCH
Sarah has established a connection with 3D Central Trains to produce her incredbile 12,500 gallon tank car model. The amazing part is that the body is one-piece making the pretty easy to build. 3D Central lists the 1/4′ scale model at $89.95 plus shipping.
Here is Sarah Griessenböck showing her fine tank car model at the March O Show recently..
That’s my blog posting for this time.
Gene Deimling
Gene's P48 Blog 
At a show in Lindsay, Ontario yesterday, a Proto48 modeller was telling me about these trucks, and their price being fairly decent for a Proto48 truck, too. I’m an HO’er, but these Kadee trucks look NICE!