Hello, Yesterday I was at a model train hobby store in Denver and I was looking for some buckles. The salesman recommended me to change the whole truck and it would be easier that way. He showed me some trucks from a famous company "I don't remember the name" with all plastic wheels. The sales person told me plastic is much better than metal wheels. I was under the impression that I need to change all my cars wheels to metal wheels and that would reduce some derailments. So here are my questions: 1. Plastic or Metal wheels? 2. What kind of trucks do you recommend? Thanks. Mo
I can only tell you what works for me. YMMV. I use Microtrain trucks and metal Fox Valley Models wheels. Part of this is because I use Atlas code 55 track and need low profile wheels. Microtrain does make plastic lopro wheels, but for me, I find metal wheels help keep my track cleaner.
IMHO...Its modelers preference. I have run both and have not had dereailments using either. Right now I am back to using MT plastics. Metal will give you more "clakity...clakity" over joints. Some like that. Plastic is cheaper. Metal could bridge gaps using DCC. Like I said....modelers prefernce. .
I'm slowly changing to metal wheels. In my case, I use the Atlas metal wheels, designed for Micro Train trucks. Ran a coal train on the Moffat Modelers club layout, at Forney Museum, most of a day, without problems. I keep seeing comments on the Fox Valley wheels. But, what's so special about them?? Can't find them listed in the Walthers catalog. Any information available? Thanks.
Inconslusive Conclusion I've probably seen at least 3 other threads along these lines. The conclusion each time has been inconclusive. I agree - modeler's preference. For me - either. I have a lot of 25yo cars that came with metal. I love the sound they make.
You need to know. It's true metal wheels will keep your track cleaner. But that doesn't mean they stay cleaner. I just finished cleaning metal wheels from an estate collection I picked up. I've never seen so much grime, dirt and environmental build up on metal wheels. Most of which are the older Bachmann metal wheel sets ...dirty! True to form... the older plastic wheel sets were atrocious...loaded with dirt...looking more like dirt magnets. In contrast the newer Micro-Trains wheel sets appeared to repel the dirt. The newer MT wheel sets are made from the same technology your non-stick, teflon coated, frying pan. I could find little to no dirt on these wheels. In the mix are some older Kato locomotives. They required a minimal amount of wheel cleaning. Food for thought.
1. Plastic or Metal wheels? ------------------------- First its a modeler's choice.. I will be using what ever comes on the car because I see no great need to spend hobby money on metal wheels. You see having use both in HO I found both gathers dirt over a period of time just like locomotive wheels... ------------------------ 2. What kind of trucks do you recommend? ------------------------ While the Micro Train truck/coupler is the de facto "standard" I would not hesitate recommending the Atlas truck/couplers under normal home use with short trains.
You say, "I was under the impression that I need to change all my cars wheels to metal wheels and that would reduce some derailments." But if you are looking to reduce derailments then the No. 1 cause of derailments is trackwork not wheels. As far as wheelsets go my preference is plastic for one simple reason. I got way too many cars to convert and the cost is beyond what I am willing to spend for the benefit that I will receive. That aside, plastic wheelsets are one piece. That means they cannot go out of gauge. Metal wheels, by their very nature have to be three pieces. That means they can go out of gauge. It won't happen immediately but it will happen over time. So if you like to sometime in the future sit down and regauge wheels then get the metal ones. Metal wheels will also cost you more than the plastic. Metal wheels are supposed to make that clickety clack sound when going over track joints but the noise they make hardly sounds like clickety clack. Metal wheels are supposed to keep your track cleaner but I have heard contrary reports on this. Also metal wheels are supposed to roll better than plastic but again there are contrary reports to this. Then again it is possible to make a car too free wheeling so that you can't couple up to it. So it really all boils down to modeler's preference.
I prefer plastic because they are quieter. I also just found out that my layout requires them because of a reverse loop issue. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=108887 Brian
Hi Mo, He was probably just trying to make it easy for what you told him you were doing? Micro trains trucks with attached couplers are pretty simple to use and keep running. I wouldn't worry about making the metal or plastic decision now, both work fine. I'd just buy a couple of each and see if you like one better than the other, you'll come to your own best solution. No reason to rush, as you learn more you'll learn more! model railroading is a hobby, not a race. Enjoy the trip. .......dave
I've recently become a metal wheel convert. I love the way they look and sound. Fox valley wheels. These are Fox Valley wheels on the hopper on the left. Regular atlas plastic's on the hopper to the right. I'm not sure if metal wheels are a big improvement operations wise, but if your after looks, there the way to go.
When I switched the first time, I used the whole truck approach, simply because it was faster. Over the years, not knowing that different manufacturers used different measurements, I had a mixed collection--some cars had Atlas trucks but some other make wheels, for example. So switching out trucks also made for much greater consistency! It was more expensive, but it solved the problem of my incessant fiddling while not knowing what I was doing. Besides, bulk wheel sets were not available then, as they are now. I'm of equal mind about metal or plastic, now that I know I have to be careful to buy the right kind and size. I don't have much of a dirt problem because my room is climate-controlled and I have a humungous track cleaning consist that does a good job. I used to have a bad build-up of crud on plastic wheels, but now I do not. I tend to like metal wheels because they are heavier, and seem to roll just fractionally better. So it's a matter of preference more than anything else.
I will be using metal wheelsets. This is a requirement for me because I want to use block detection for my rolling stock. That aside, I think metal wheelsets roll more freely and I actually like the additional noise. I have gaps between every section of flex track and the clickety-clack is super cool! The looks are definitely improved with the metal wheelsets, but that is something typically not noticeable from my normal viewing distance. Jamie
I've been an advocate of metal wheel sets for quite some time.All of my rolling stock ted(close to 800 cars) have been converted over to metal wheel sets. See my article on 33" Metal Wheel Sets on my website below for the reasons why.
Another consideration...especially in this economy...4 wheelsets will cost approx: FVM 2.35 per car MT 0.32 per car JMO .
Moe, Did you happen to see my remark about derailments on your "Help needed on Atlas N-18 Gulf Summit" thread over at the other board. just in case. I'm pretty sure this is your problem. Moe having started this layout around the same time as you I also had issue with derailment on the turnouts due to my ignorance. I wanted to just double check something with you that someone shared with me that made to difference. maybe you already know this. The rail that guides the train into the turnout needs to be open or my rolling stock derails over that part. From the picture below you will see that the engine coming from the right will NOT have its stock cars derailed because the rail is open. It's probably to late since you took it apart but you will have the same problem with any switch if you do not open it every time.
I'm also an FVM convert. I am converting a few cars at a time. Meaning I buy 1 or 2 100 packs(of axles) a month. And- I have been doing some trading(right Joe & George-?). I am switching for two reasons- The lo-pro aspect and the looks. Just my personal view.
I'm a big advocate of 'trading'. If we have stuff we wont/dont use and someone else can us it...and they have something we can use...its all good ! :tb-cool: .
