Re: D&RGW Passenger Trucks

Taylor, I believe the D&S started making their own trucks many (10+) years ago and were making them out of all tubular steel and castings (for the journal boxes etc.) They experienced a lot of fatigue cracking and breaking in the all steel trucks as well as poor ride quality. Then they started building the trucks with wood/steel composite (just like the old days!) and found the wood to be much more flexable (no more cracking and breaking) and gave a much better ride. The castings and construction are copies of original D&RGW trucks so they look authentic. The bearings are friction - the story I heard was it was proposed to fit the new trucks with roller bearings, but Mr. Bradshaw (the owner at the time)would have nothing of it. The point was made that the roller bearings could be hidden inside a journal box, complete with lid, so nobody would know. Mr. Bradshaw stated that "he would know", so that was the end of that and the trucks got friction bearings. Several years ago the Georgetown Loop inquired about having the D&S build some trucks, but got a cool reaction from Durango due to liability concerns. Those concerns may have been worked out, but don't expect them to be cheap if they decide to sell some. They would still be considered custom work even though Durango has built many sets of trucks over the years.
Phil