Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to replace trucks on Walthers HO Horizon cars (item No. 932-6073)? — Daniel Kielty
A: That part number corresponds to an HO scale Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter car. The Horizon fleet passenger cars, used by Amtrak as well as municipal transit authorities like MBTA, were built by Bombardier. Those cars ride on General Steel Industries (formerly General Steel Castings) G70 outside-bearing trucks. In addition to Wm. K. Walthers, Rapido Trains also makes HO scale versions of these cars. Luckily, Rapido also sells its HO scale GSI-70 trucks separately.
I can’t promise the Rapido trucks will fit the Walthers car without modifications, but it’s worth trying a pair. If they don’t fit the Walthers cars’ kingpins, or if they alter the height of the cars, you might have to rebuild the cars’ bolsters with styrene. There’s an article on our website that offers tips on how to do it. Let me know how it goes.
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