i just to the plunge and order a twelve pack of these to see if they are worth it or not. ordered from wig-wag, and hopefully will be here sometime mid-week. can't wait to see what happens.
Just curious as to your less than favorable experience with the MT low profile wheelsets. Were there problems with these, and if so, could I ask what they were? Thanks, Al
I am using both MTL low profile and FVM wheels. Had no problems with either brand on Peco code 55 track, also not on some Minitrix code 80. There were some derailments after I converted my Bowser PRR H21 cars to FVM wheels. The train is now rolling freely downhill and pushed some cars to the outside rail of a Peco curved turnout which seems to be a bit wide. I bent the switch tongue a bit and the problem was solved (temporarily??). My experience with FVM wheels in MTL trucks is mixed, sometimes they don't turn freely, e.g. I had no luck with the ex-1137 trucks. For 33" wheels in MTL trucks I normally use MTL low pro wheels, but there are exceptions. I also have Atlas wheels for MTL trucks, they are great to replace Athearn wheels that are a bit stiff. In most cases you just have to try what fits. It's not a dogma, just some wheels :tb-biggrin:
Ok already I'm convinced. LOL I've never run any Fox Valley Wheels always used MT's for replacements, but after reading in this thread and always seeing them on every etailers site; I'm going to give them a try. Must admit rite off the start they do look more prototypical than the others. I couldn't say that I'd totally give up on Micro Train Wheel sets but if they roll as good as they look; sure could find some holes to fill real easy Thanks for sharing your experiences it's appreciated:tb-cool: I'll be sure to come back and share mine
I do like the looks of the FVM wheels but the IM's have a wider tread therefore is more forgiving on my track work. I have four cars with the FVM wheels in MT trucks but they do highlight a couple areas that were never a problem in the past. My layout is in the garage and is susceptible to expansion/contraction issues so will more likely stick with what has been proved reliable on my current layout.
not sure if i even should try them out.... in case i get hooked... i'd need a 10'000+ axle bulk pack......
I'm running FVM 33" wheelsets in about half of my railcars with MT trucks/couplers. My layout is Atlas Code 80 track, and I have had derailments at some turnouts with the FVMs installed. I have filed the points on troublesome turnouts, and massaged a couple of other troublesome areas. [Seems the best track tool is the mini file] No doubt the FVM tread (narrower or more prototypical) is less forgiving than the standard Atlas tread (much wider). It seems as though it is all about the tread width in relation to the Atlas Code 80 turnouts. For that reason, I'm going to do a test in the coming days on a Code 55 turnout to see what happens. I would say about half the FVM wheelsets I insert do not roll as freely as the MTL wheelsets. I am awaiting some Greas'em, and will try this on one of the tighter wheelsets to see if it rolls more freely. On the other hand, a tighter wheelset helps reduce the slinky effect.
Hey Al, The problem I and others in our club have been experiencing with the MT lo pro's is: They tend to pick the points of our turnouts. We have a combo of Shinohara and Micro Engineering. This seems to be the new version of the MT lo pro's. The flange has a knife edge now, instead of a round edge as the original version had. The older round edge MT's do not seem to be a problem. That's just our observation. Wheels with round edge flanges seem to be less troublesome. Have a good one,
Wolf, I read up a bit on replacement wheelsets and saw this regarding the newer MT lo-pros. It was part of the reason I decided to go with the FVM wheels, well that and all the good comments they've gotten. There was a post further up from Spidge about the IM wheels being maybe less picky through less than perfect trackwork. Would like to find out more about this.
I'll trade off this 12 pack of FVM wheelsets for MT low pros. I wrestled with the iea of changing them out and decided to stick with Mt's on my Mt trucks...thnxs. .
Try Domino's.:tb-wink: Maybe the reason FVM wheels run better than MTL's is that their profile more closely follows the prototype, they didn't spend the last 200 odd years developing something that doesn't work. If I find the occasional MTL truck a bit on the tight side with FVM wheels I find slightly bending the truck side frames outwards with my fingers does the trick. As for FVM wheels finding bad track, I'd rather keep the better wheels and fix my track. On the club's Ntrak layout we have no trouble with them and some of the track's over 30 years old, a mix of Peco C80 and C55.
