I initially posted this Guide to N scale metal wheelsets - Trains in the inspection pit section .. Tom I am not positive if this is the correct forum for this topic , I apologize if it is not. Guide to N scale metal wheelsets - Trains Tom It is OK here. Or as it addresses N scale, could be in that forum, too.
I find this to be the most important information, namely, because I keep forgetting which is which: 28”-diameter wheels — modern auto racks 33”-diameter wheels — 70-ton capacity or less (and most cabooses) 36”-diameter wheels — 100- and 110-ton capacity cars 38”-diameter wheels — Intermediate wheelsets on articulated 125-ton capacity well cars (end trucks have 33”-diameter wheels
After work tonight, I will start on my Caboose-A-Thon, I have all the 33" wheelsets I need to cover them and then whatever else is hand to install them on. When I am done 300 cars will have shiny new Fox Valley metal wheels!
Just something to think about for your average modeler. It will cost you $4.00 per car to do metal wheel sets. It will cost you $1.00 to do plastic wheel sets. If you do 50 cars with metal sets it will cost you $200.00. If you do 50 cars with plastic sets it will cost you $50.00 .
Nice math George It's true they are not cheap but man are they nice. I kinda wish I hadn't waited as long as I did to start upgrading my fleet. Oh, and George, If you are interested, I can hook you with either some $0.75 per axle metal wheel sets or you can send me a $50 and I'll send you a couple hundred + plastic wheel sets
Metal wheels are pricey, but I'll be darned if they don't look better, run better, stay cleaner, and make the most satisfying clickety-clack sounds as they roll down the track. The only drawback is that once in a blue moon you'll encounter a wheelset that was clearly assembled just before quitting time:
I totally agree I totally agree with you. All of my rolling stock gets metal wheels before entering service. The only ones that keep the plastic wheels are my cabooses as I like to have a little drag to minimize the slinky effect that is pronounced with the last car. In "my world" the caboose never went away and can be seen on most trains; even in 2024....... Brian
Can someone point me to the proper metal wheels for MTL roller bearing trucks? I'd like to try them on a coal hopper to see if they roll farther into the yard from the kickback track, and test whether or not they play well with the magnetic uncouplers that I have on the layout.
For Micro Trains trucks, you want the 0.540 axle length. For coal hoppers, 36" wheels would be right. ESM and Exact Rail are both nice and I have used some of both. I like the Intermountain metal wheels and have been happy with them. By far though, I have used Fox Valley wheels and am very happy with them. Currently you can get them in packs of 12 or 100 axles. They seem to be the most affordable 100 packs right now. Regardless of what brand you try, look forward to hearing what you think.
Modern auto racks either use 33" or 28" wheels. The majority actually use 33". The only N scale models whose prototype uses 28" wheels are the ScaleTrains MultiMax autorack (and they already come with 28" metal wheels anyway) and the Atlas Thrall articulated auto rack, which ran either 28" or 33" wheels, depending on load weight. The prototypes of the MTL, Red Caboose, Athearn and Kato auto racks all use 33" wheels.
