Metal verses plastic wheals

[3609]

I made a great discovery the other day I was happly running my trains. Having all gradient tracks of up to 5% I decided to change one set of cars to plastic wheals well blow me down i could nearly double the size of the train. It seams the weight of the steel wheals become a burden when pulled up slopes, the steel wheals weighed nearly 25% of the gross weight of the wagons. It is funny how you think of steal is best for its rolling ability but forget its weight when pulling up steep grades.

it may be simple but it works, just thought I would let you know. P.S I do miss the click-click

Ces from down under

[Great Western]

 

There are a few improvements to your stock that can be made and allow you to have metal wheels.

If you state which type/manufacturers rolling stock you have then you will probably get some useful answers to help you retain the 'clickety-clack'.

[CDise]

I've been told that Bachman plastic wheels are to be avoided because of leaving residue on the track.  Aristo plastic is ok.  Haven't heard anything on LGB or USA.

 I suppose it may also depend on running conditions - inside/outside, temperature, battery vs track power - and the list goes on.

 I run mostly aristo cars and some bachman with metal wheels.  Inside/track power/brass track.  Like anyone else I do clean the track.  There doesn't seem to be an overabundance of dirt or problems.

[Camaro1967]

 Instead of going to plastic wheels to make the train longer, just get a bigger engine, and stay with metal wheels.

Paul

[ttrigg]

Ces:

Those of us who exceed the "2% or less" have to make concessions that others in our hobby do not understand. Using plastic wheels will cause you to need to do more railhead cleaning. If you push electrons down the rails to your engine, then I would suggest eminent acquisition or construction of a rail-cleaning car with dry scrub pads. A couple of laps with it should remove any and all plastic debris from the rails.

[Greg Elmassian]

Gotta just say ditto on what Tom said.

I have max 3.5% grades, and run long trains. Getting rid of plastic wheels was essential to reliable running and no hard black deposit on the rail from the plastic wheels, and I'm in a moderate climate same as Tom.

Get a hot climate and it gets worse.

Seems easy to say: "use more locos" but it is sage advice for more than just the obvious reasons.

 

Regards, Greg

[3609]

Hi Guys

I do have larger loco,s my twin E- 8s handle 10 heavy weights on all my steep grades. But my pacifics could just handle 3 so i switched to using both my pacifics to freight and they would handle 5 box cars and a caboose but when i took off the steel wheals and replaced them with the plastic ones i can now handle 9 plus caboose. I do run 2 cleaning cars at all times. I was only explaining that difference, and all my loco s and rolling stock are Aristo and I am looking forward to purchasing a SP Mallet but their is none to be found.  but when i do the steel wheals are back and the 2 pacifics are gone.

Thank You guys for your feedback CES.

[Greg Elmassian]

Have you considered adding weight to the Pacifics?

If they are the new style, the ball bearings on the axles can handle quite a bit of weight, since they are the same as the diesels.

Regards, Greg

[3609]

Thanks Greg

I was told a long time ago that adding extra weight would put to much strain on drive wheals and they could slip on the axles as we know, that has been a design fault from the begining. One day they will see the benifits of a spline or a key way connection the extra cost is better than the embarresment. Screw and glue how primitive.

Thanks again Greg I will take it onboard Ces 

[Greg Elmassian]

I agree, you might want to remove the wheels and lap them to the axles with valve grinding compound. I know that works well, have done it to my Northern, which is made from Pacific parts.

Since the Pacific has the largest driving wheels, it's simple physics to see that the torque on the axle/wheel connection is the worst case of all Aristo locos, i.e. as you said, concern about wheel slip.

I was disappointed in the pulling power of Pacifics, you would think they could pull a short passenger train up a 1.5% grade, I believe the prototype could.

Lapping the axles is a bunch of work, but it might be worth it.

Regards, Greg