Hello, I have a few cars that have plastic wheels and I would like to change them to metal ones. What size and maker is suggested to use for this?
i like bachmann, i tried anthem also but they hate high speeds:(
for after market wheels, i think nwsl makes the very best. i also like jaybee which are less expensive.
Quark - I have changed all the plastic wheels, on my rolling stock, to metal units over the years. In the process I've tried: P2K, Bachmann, Branchline, and Kadee. Personally, I seem to prefer Kadee because they are blackened and are frequently on sale at Walthers. To be fair, I haven't experienced any problems with the other manufacturers.
Ray
I measure the axle length, and come close with the replacement set. I have used P2K, Intermountain, Kadee and Branchline so far. I don't like the black coating on the Kadee wheels if have used to date, it wears off the tread, gunking up the track.
For most freight cars of the '50's, 33" wheels are appropriate. 36" wheels are generally for 100 ton freight cars, 38" wheels for 125 ton. Some autoracks and similar use 28" wheels for more clearance.
Use a tool like this one to clean up the trucks:
http://www.reboxx.com/Tools.htm (http://www.reboxx.com/Tools.htm)
make sure to go very easy with it, or you'll need longer axles.
ReBoxx also sell a metal wheels with a wide variety of axle lengths. NWSL has a limited selection of axle lengths.
For wheel tread width, I like .088" as it is more realistic, especially important on caboose and tank car trucks, less so on others. .064" is scale, but will generally not run on commercial track built to NMRA standards. .110" is typical, but looks so wide.
i have had enough problems with bent or warped axles on kadee wheelsets that i will never buy another wheelset with a plastic axle.
i haven't tried other brands than the ones i've mentioned.
the truck tuner tool is a very good investment. i have one and i use it on every truck where the wheels show rolling resistance.
I've converted most of my rolling stock over to the metal wheelsets from Intermountain and have had fantastic results. If you are interested, contact Atlantic Central and he can give you ssome great data he has compiled. Made a world of difference for me. Stephen