Large Scale Central

USAT Parts for Aluminum Passenger Cars

General Discussion
#1

Hi all, Have three broken bolsters for my Aluminum Passenger Cars USAT will not sell the bolsters as a separate item, you need to buy the whole truck for $41+ . Anybody ever repaired a broken bolster? Anyone ever made a 3D printed version? Any other ideas. Thanks Bill

side frames are only $7.95 each

#2

That is a tough one. The side frames are remarkably fragile.

Never heard of someone printing them, the cars are so heavy, it would take some engineering to make them strong enough I would think.

I don’t think there is enough “meat” in the places to repair, but perhaps you could post a picture?

FR

#3

Bill,

not familiar with this truck as i am a NG guy. post up a couple of pictures of the broken bolster. the material i print in may hold up, but i need to see the design. if i think it will work i will need a broken one to reverse engineer.

AL P.

#4

Bill, I have a bunch of spare sideframes - Charles Ro sent them after I complained the keepers under the axleboxes were falling off.

I also have 5 coaches her in FL with no loco to pull them. 3 are on the shelf in my ‘office’. The loco is back in MD as I have nowhere to run it here.

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I lifted one coach and took this photo of the truck just now.

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My trucks aren’t going anywhere - I can lend a whole truck if you want to ‘reverse engineer’ it.

#5

Pete, frank,

I believe Bill is looking for Bolsters, Not Side frames. that said Pete’s photo shows what looks to be a robust bolster, where are they breaking?

Al P.

#6

I’m kinda lost here as like Al I’m not exactly sure what Bill is looking for ?

Al I can tell you the trucks and sideframes are solid cast. Have them in stock and not forsale.

This is the USA bolster that I think he may be referring to however I’m not sure. Now if it is the mount “yes” there is an easy way to make them .

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#7

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#8

We tend to use the word bolster for 2 different things:

  • the part attached to the chassis
  • the part that holds the side frames on

Railroad_truck,_FM55-20.Fig8-8

I think what Loco Bill wants is the latter…

#9

Guys, It is the thin metal piece that connects the two sideframes together that I need for the six wheel truck. I should have been more specific, I forgot there are also four whee trucks. I will look for the broken parts and post a picture.

The pin under the car is fine.

#10

OK, now I am understanding!
First off I thought you were talking about the Streamliner Series by your topic title.
…however you are not …
Hench why I asked what I asked.

https://charlesro-com.3dcartstores.com/aluminum_passengercar_parts

Clearly you are talking about the HEAVYWEIGHT BOLSTERS and the “side frames” cost $7.95 for the “4 wheel” trucks NOT for the six wheel trucks.

https://charlesro-com.3dcartstores.com/heavyweights_parts.html

Now I’m going to ask “How did you break the span-bolster” as it’s cast metal and pretty solid to begin with?

In turn I would like to note that we cannot read minds and a picture ALWAYS says 1,000 words before everyone jumps to speculation due to description. I’m only trying to help without confusion as " I do " have a good bit of experience with Ro’s stuff.

:rooster:

#11

I have been sick for the past few days, now I am better. I realize that I am/was talking about the 4 wheel truck bolster. I have screwed up big time mixing up the heavyweight truck for the 4 wheel streamline truck The truck bolster broke when the car derailed on a 2% downgrade and the heavy push from behind from 11 cars behind may have contributed. We are careful with all are equipment and were surprised by this

Rooster, All I want is the truck bolster in any color. Since you are expert with RO parts please guide me to finding the part number for these truck bolsters. I do not want a complete truck. If you have the name of one of the parts specialists at Ro please let me know.

I have been trying post a picture of the truck bolster , but seem to be having a problem with that as well. Rooster’s second picture showing the top view of the truck bolster with the sideframes attached show the part I need.

Apologize for all the confusion I caused, and I appreciate all of you who posted help in spite of my errors

Bill

#12

Bill, for this site you just drag and drop your pictures into your post.

AL P.

#13

Just a repeat in case anyone wants to make one, now that we know which one!

#14

Bill,
You are fine and no need to apologize it’s all good!
I’m just trying to eliminate confusion and help you the best I can. However it appears that you must purchase the truck as told by USA Trains.

https://charlesro-com.3dcartstores.com/store_r2041.html

#15

https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-Y62CauglSseLtEcDqCv1ZAvDyKU4wNEiI1tFHL-PPqisPko5HAONwQxpe9X1Y7Bk4QS589m2ULn4HOf3kMCF_g/messages/@.id==AAI9WB7VChG3jh4LEUNyABQBV15/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appid=YMailNorrin&downloadWhenThumbnailFails=true&pid=2

#16

I forgot this part of your quote …I personally do not own any of the USA heavyweights but I know how they are built and I am quite surprised myself. You would think they should have snapped the pin on the other bolster first?

#17

Hi guys, The previous post shows a picture of the part. It is very thin and you can see there is no way I can find to repair it. Considering the weight of the cars a 3d printed version would probably be too weak. the

I just hate to pay just over $41 plus shipping for a complete truck just to get the small truck bolster. Currently we are using a baggage car as a parts source.

I only wish it broke on the underframe bolster pin.

Cheers for the Holidays. Bill

#18

Rooster, Thanks for the link showing $$26 for the whole truck . bought two already. I found that buying the parts thru the Charles Ro Store is is way cheaper than buying thru the USAT parts store Bill

#19

BTW… Bill,

We love pictures here so another way to add them is below. Just reply and click on the arrow that I circled in red. It will take you to your library and you can click on a picture from there.

Screenshot 2025-12-06 at 07-15-30 USAT Parts for Aluminum Passenger Cars - General Discussion - Large Scale Central - Copy

#20

Thanks Rooster, It worked for me.

For forum Members see below

Sideframes

Streamline Truck|666x500

The photo shows one of our streamline USAT passenger truck side frames that has failed. I feel that because we run the hell out of our USAT California Zephyr we see the failure more than most folks. The truck frame are not very robust. It took only light finger pressure to break out the other side of the truck which still holds has the springs. Complete Sideframes are 7.95 each so not too bad. We have never had a body bolster break (yet).

Truck Bolster
For now the only solution I know of is you have to buy the whole truck just to get the truck bolster. $41.95 on the USAT site. On the Charles Ro website the whole truck is only $26.95. Part number is R2036. I believe it is a mistaken price on Ro so I ordered 4 trucks from Ro just to keep in my own parts bin for immediate use. As of this writing they are still up at that price if members need any.

Happy Holidays to all, Bill Canelos