I have encountered comments about wheelsets being out of gauge as a source of problems in a sundry collection of posts aver the past year on Trainboard. I have yet been able to find a clear explanation of two issues in this regard. 1. How do you determine the correct gauge? 2. How would you correct it, if found to be out of gauge? A reference to an instructive web site would really be appreciated. I don't know if I have a problem or not. Just natural curiosity makes it a question that I would like to know about. Thanks Don
You measure it. Luckily, the NMRA gauges are just being restocked at the various stores after being scarce for a while. http://www.trainbuddy.com/Reference/nmra_gage.htm http://www.nmra.org/standards/gauge.html Once you use your new gauge on your track work, you will be very surprised (depending on the brand of switches you use).
To measure you can get an NMRA gauge as Tony pointed out or get one from MicroTrains. The MT one also will measure coupler height. If found to be out of gauge, it depends on whether it is too wide or too narrow. Most of the time it would be too narrow. To adjust too wide, just gently press the two wheels together. They are just press fit. Be careful to not go too far or you will end up with too narrow wheels. The tricky situation is where it is too narrow. You will need to spread the wheels apart. Depending on how tight the press fit is you might be able to use your fingernails. If not, you will need something to pry the wheel(s) away from the frame. Be careful on what you use as it can leave pry marks on the plastic frame. My suggestion is to remove the trucks to do it else you might end up breaking detail parts on the shell (don't ask me how I know). If the press fit is very tight you need to get the wheel set off and then pull the wheels apart while twisting them. They will move out.
