Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: quryous on February 17, 2010, 04:49:52 PM

Title: Size of wheel
Post by: quryous on February 17, 2010, 04:49:52 PM
How does one find out the wheel size for replacements. 33" or 36" ?
Title: Re: Size of wheel
Post by: Joe Satnik on February 17, 2010, 04:59:02 PM
Dear quryous,

HO scale is 1:87.1,

so 33"/87.1 = 0.379", or just above 3/8" wheel tread.

36"/87.1 = 0.413" or just above 13/32" wheel tread.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik
Title: Re: Size of wheel
Post by: jonathan on February 17, 2010, 05:05:17 PM
Quryous,

If you don't have a caliper or fine scale ruler, a good rule of thumb is freight uses 33" and passenger uses 36".  There are exceptions, but this is a good 'go-by'.

Regards,

Jonathan
Title: Re: Size of wheel
Post by: Nigel on February 17, 2010, 11:48:25 PM
Quote from: jonathan on February 17, 2010, 05:05:17 PM
Quryous,

If you don't have a caliper or fine scale ruler, a good rule of thumb is freight uses 33" and passenger uses 36".  There are exceptions, but this is a good 'go-by'.

Regards,

Jonathan

Except for modern 100ton frieght cars, which are almost always 36"; and the newest 125ton coal cars which have 38" wheels.  Autoflats often have 28" wheels, and intermodal double stacks are often a mixture with 70ton trucks at the ends (33" wheels) and 125 ton trucks in the middle (38" wheels).
Title: Re: Size of wheel
Post by: quryous on February 19, 2010, 12:09:36 PM
Thank you. Very helpful.