Hartford Large Scale Products trucks kit

1:20.3 scale, gauge 1 trucks kit
Hartford Large Scale Products
6224  Acorn Ridge Trail
Hillsborough NC 27278
Price: $59.95/pair + s&h
Website: http://www.hartfordproducts.com

Wood and white-metal kit (#T-17) for gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, narrow-gauge Thielsen trucks, as used by the Southern Pacific Railroad; wheelsets by Sierra Valley; instructions supplied

Pros: Good product for SP fans; correct scale/gauge combination; high level of detail; crisp castings with minimal flash; assembled trucks are free rolling; easy to assemble; good instructions with photos

Cons: None

These trucks are reproductions of the Thielsen trucks, which were used by the Carson & Colorado Railroad as well as Southern Pacific’s narrow-gauge line. The trucks were rated at 10 tons and had a 49″ wheelbase with 24″-diameter wheels. They were originally manufactured with swing-motion suspension but were later strengthened by replacing the swing motion with U-shaped straps, which eliminated the tendency for the swing links to break when under heavy loads.  

This kit consists of pre-cut-and-drilled wood and cast-metal parts, with Sierra Valley all-metal wheelsets. There are two pages of written instructions, a parts list, and three pages of large, clear, black-and-white photos.

As always, I read through the included instructions and identified all of the parts before beginning the assembly. The photographs clearly show how the various parts fit together, and assembly of the trucks actually takes only a few minutes. Because the transom parts and sideframes interlock to form a strong mechanical structure, I used CA glue to assemble them, with good results.

The Duracast II alloy castings have crisp detail and there was little clean up necessary to make the various parts fit properly. The instructions first direct you to remove a small amount of material from the slots in the side transoms to let them seat completely against the side-frame castings. I used a cut-off disk in a rotary tool for this step. The transom ends needed a few strokes with a flat file on their edges to fit snugly in place. There are divots cast into the side transoms’ top edges to locate holes for the mounting pins on the bolster hangers and retainers. I used a pin vise with a #45 drill to make these holes. The sideframes, transom parts, and wheelsets were then temporarily assembled to check all parts for clearances and smooth operation.  

To get the wood parts ready, I used a small, fine round file to clean the screw holes in the bolster and spring planks. I also put a light chamfer in the bottom edges of the slots in the spring planks to match the inside radius of the hanger bends. This allows for a tighter fit. Slots in the bolsters need to be deepened to allow for easy vertical movement within the bolster hangers.  

I cleaned all of the castings with soapy water before final assembly to remove any parting compound or oils that might affect the gluing or painting process. For final assembly, I glued the end transoms on to lock the sideframes in place. I compressed the spring plank, springs, and bolsters together with a small C-clamp while the glue between the transoms and bolster retainers was allowed to dry. Journal lids and side bearings were added to finish up the trucks.     

These Southern Pacific Thielsen trucks have a good level of detail, are free rolling, and the springs and planks can be seen through the holes in the end transom castings. It is good to see more railway-specific parts and accessories being made available from Hartford Large Scale Products.