I can almost guarantee that it’s the size because you asked me a long time ago what size I used… 
I did happen to know this. And as your picture suggests, leaf springs were preferred on tenders and cabooses but seems coils got the nod for freight. Does anyone know why? I have been told its because leaf springs offered a softer smoother ride. But id so why not make them all leaf springs? Do coils offer a stiffer ride and that makes for a better freight truck? Can they carry more weight? More stable?
Devon, I think you are confusing narrow gauge and standard gauge equipment. 
I’ve never seen Bettendorf trucks on narrow gauge cars, (though I am ready to be proved wrong.) They are a recent invention (post 1910) and you see them on modern standard gauge freight cars.
Narrow gauge cars are smaller and shorter, so their trucks are shorter. EBT was unusual in building their own steel cars and buying vulcan trucks to go under them. Most NG RR used archbar trucks through 1920, and then they all started to go out of business!
This pic is an EBT hopper on dual-gauge track. A std gauge hopper would dwarf it!
I suggest you borrow a copy of “The American Railroad Freight Car” by John H. White? It has drawings of most types of cars and their trucks.
I knew I had this somewhere, and I finally found it. It is the side frame (drawing) of a real Vulcan truck, from the 1923 Car Builders Dictionary And Cyclopedia. (I have the original hi-res if you want it.)
I was interested enough in the situation that I got out my “Slim Gauge Cars” (Carstens book of NG equipment plans.) All the freights had archbar trucks except a D&RGW frameless UTLX tank (and the EBT cars.)
The UTLX car was apparently a standard gauge tank car converted to 3’ in the 1930s. It used Andrews cast steel trucks - almost identical to Vulcans but with a strap across the bottom of the bearing to stop the truck straddling the rail if the car derailed. (I converted some Phil Dippel’s Andrews trucks to Vulcans by removing the strap!) Here’s a photo of Phils:
Incidentally, the Andrews used on the UTLX car was 4’ 8" wheelbase, as is Phil’s version!
Are they cheaper to make?
No, I think I was just confused all the way around. But thanks for clarifying. I most certainly did see where the Vulcan trucks were very commonly (if not all) 4’ 8". So per your guidance mine are now extremely close to 4’ 8". And I have to agree they do look better that way.
Now one thing you just said that is very useful/helprful is that Vulcan trucks (at least on the EBT) were the go to narrow gauge “upgrade” from archbars to the newer next evolution in trucks. And that there are no (at least to your knowledge which is good enough for me) narrow gauge Bettendorf trucks. What this does is solidify my decision to make the current Vulcan as a 1:20.3 narrow gauge truck since this entire project is 1:20.3. So that works out great.
And since I was already planning to use the Bettendorfs on my STMA “modern” log cars (which is prototypical) they will be 1:29 standard gauge. I pretty much already decided that and your giving me a much needed lesson in transition era trucks just solidifies the idea.
I really do appreciate the help. And it made for a much nicer looking design. A design that is close enough to the picture you provided that I am not going back and revisiting it.
I always thought resin might be too fragile for trucks - only based on reading, I don’t (yet) own a resin printer. What resin are you using? I remember some earlier posts talked about using a mix?
Cheers
Neil
I am using a mix. Its not my recipe, its mikes. I cant even recall right now what it is. But I better find out because I need more. But I think its 50/50 siraya tech fast and zmudd.
This mix is pretty tough and flexible especially if you dont over cure it. And trucks are pretty beefy really the addition of bearings to eliminate the wear surface I see no reason they won’t work.
Now with that said, anything resin printed will be somewhat fragile. If you drop it on a truck it will likely break. But setting it nicely on the track and pulling it around shouldn’t be that stressful. Mike does it regularly with no issues.
The newest version of the Vulcan is printing. Dan gave me the nod to do a little modification to his Fox truck so I dressed up the journal boxes. Those are ready to print. As much as I am enjoying the Vulcan progression, Dan’s fox i am pretty sure is gonna win.
All this talk on trucks, and we are forgetting the elephant in the room. Since Mike already assembled the yarder I dont have too. So it is being painted, first coat on.
Next thing to do is start the flat car. I have a dilemma. This really should be a stout car. But I already have a couple 1:20.3 flat cars pretty well built that should be long enough to fit the donkey.
The dilemma is this, the flat cars I have are pretty standard duty cars and already have decking applied. This car should be more stout and really has no need for decking. These were not flat car loads, they were cars and I dont think they were unloaded. Well not all of them anyway. The Lidgerwoods the McCloud used were most definitely removed from their carriers. But the prototype i am sorta following looks to me to remain on its car.
Either way something this big would likely have a dedicated carrier and not be just a load on a generic flatcar. This means no need for a deck.
I am leaning toward starting from scratch and using my starts for various support cars.
They are easier to maintain like replacing or inspecting for defects/cracks. They are also more universal than the leaf spring. The difference between a 70ton or 125ton truck is simply the amount of coils and how they are arranged not the spring load rate. The leaf spring does offer a more stable ride and is better at controlling lateral forces or sway. This is why a lot of locomotives and the cabooses used leaf springs. An exception to the rule is your streamline and heavyweight passenger trucks. They used both leaf and coils as a primary and secondary suspension. Today’s Amtrak still uses a primary and secondary suspension but it’s all coils with snubbers, shocks, torsion bar for sway etc.
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I got my copy out after looking through Slim Gauge Cars, and found it has a couple of pages on the Fox trucks. Would you like me to scan them?
I appreciate it Pete. If you wouldn’t mind it could be handy.
I think I’ve got a 3d print file of those found online (similar to the roller bearing ones I shared with you). Direct replacement for the USAT trucks of that style.
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Well half of the truck print failed. I got three side frames and a bolster. Need to clean my vat and check my FEP. But I like this vulcan truck so far. Much more substantial and looks like a more proper 20.3 truck. I didn’t have my glasses handy so couldn’t examine it to close, just a quick look.
Tomorrow I will get another print going and put together at least one of the trucks. Another coat of paint, or two, or three. And start work on the car frame. Decided to go with an all new car that is a skeleton with no deck and beefy framing.
Still not quite right. Need to deepen the axle hole because the end of the shaft hits the side frame and binds. When it isn’t hitting the frame it roles nice and smooth. Minor detail. Also need to reposition the side frame for printing, its misprinting one of the coil springs. But we are getting there. The lettering came out nice and the overall look of the truck is much beefier and looks like more proportionate given Peter’s call making them a 4’ 8" wheelbase.
In addition to work on the truck I have the model just about all painted. One or two more coats should do it. I also started cutting the wood for the car.
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Hey Devon we were talking about you yesterday…
I’m sitting and showing off my MOW cars
Of corse Bob decides to take this pic as I was texting the wife…
So I had some great conversation with this guy
Dan Gilchrist
And your name came up …
good things were said … 
Well done, Devon. I love the details on that truck.
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You dont know how much of a compliment I consider this comment. Both you Sean and Dan are people I have come to very much respect. For you guys to even mention me much less have good things to say is a compliment.
Dan H,
I appreciate the compliment from you as well. . .but your trucks with my minor revision are getting the nod.
They are going to look great, give that different and unique look i am after, and they work and roll awesome. These have bearings installed and I have to include here I made them 1 piece and they flex more than enough to get the wheelsets in.
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Wood is cut and ready for assembly. This car is pretty substantial. 22 inches long, 5 1/2 inches wide. I have decided after the conversation on the other thread that I am going to fully detail the underside. Thanks to a certain someone, I have a great set of files to print all the necessary details for a flat car.