What's the deal with metal wheels?

[Anonymous]

Being new to garden scale, when I purchased a starter set and a few extra cars I had some reservations with the stock plastic wheels. Noticing some Bachmann 24.5 cm metal replacement wheels on a closeout rack, I purchased what they had, enough to do five cars. When swapping out the wheels I also noticed the metal wheels were significantly smaller than the stock plastic. The install was easy and the cars roll very smoothly (carpet railroad) without track clearance problems. I've since then noticed metal wheels are also available in the larger size. My question; Would the smaller wheel size have less drag (roll easier) through smaller radius curves than large? My personal preference is the look of the smaller wheels, but am curious about the "Pros and Cons" and/or effects when I move on to actual outdoor operation.

Thanks,
Rich

[Curmudgeon]

You got small wheels.
Stock Bachmann is virtually the same as lgb, usa, aristo.
Bachmann makes a smaller set for the 20-foot cars, probably on closeout as nobody was buying them.

I suppose on 1100 curves metal wheels have less flange drag, but the track-power folks insist on metal as the plastic "dirties" their rail.

On battery r/c, makes no difference, and I run my plastic wheels until they fail, some of which have not in almost 12 years of use.

TOC

[Tom The Brat]

I run track power, and unlike some, I don't forbid plastic wheels, but I like to put metal wheels on mine. They run nicer, derail less often, sound nicer...

[Anonymous]

Apparently TOC, you are correct. The smaller wheels are meant for ore cars. There won't be a problem with running them, but one vendor said they'd look funny on box cars and larger cars. Guess that's as good excuse as any to buy 5 ore cars! Anyone know where to find them reasonably priced? Also, I should have specified that I run track powered.

Thanks,
Rich

[Curmudgeon]

St. Aubins generally has good deals in boxes of 48.
Problem will be with couplers.
What are you using?
TOC

[cacole]

I have a Bachmann caboose that uses those smaller wheels and I have been unable to find any metal replacements for the plastic ones that came on the caboose. I tried the larger wheels, but they made the coupler sit too high. Everyone around here sells only the larger Bachmann metal wheels.

I have been told by people in the Phoenix, Arizona, area that metal wheels are mandatory there because the rail gets so hot that plastic wheels were melting.

I don't think I would want to be outdoors running trains in temperatures like that.

[Curmudgeon]

I think I have a set or two of the smaller wheels left.
E-mail me.
I am TAD Juliett tomorrow for a week, so e-mail me now.

TOC

[kstrong]

In theory, larger wheels roll easier than smaller ones. If you've ever pushed a lawnmower with the large wheels, then pushed a conventional one, you've felt the difference. However, the differences between 24 and 31 millimeters is largely neglegible, so I doubt there would be any difference there. The only change would be that a car with the smaller wheels would sit 3mm lower than one equipped with the larger ones.

As for the aesthetics of the size, that's a matter of personal taste, really. In 1:20.3, the small Bachmann wheels scale out to just under 20", which is perfect for a lot of industrial equipment, as well as early (c. 1870s) narrow gauge freight equipment. Their 31mm wheels scale out just over 24", which is typical of later narrow gauge equipment. (Most narrow gauge railroads used either 24" or 26" wheels.)

If you're modeling a smaller scale, say 1:24, then the 24.5 mm wheels scale out to just over 23", while the 31mm wheels scale to 29". That's a touch large for narrow gauge equipment, so the small wheels would be more appropriate. In 1:22.5, you're looking at 22" and 27" respectively. Here, the large wheels would be closer for "modern" equipment, while the smaller ones could work for either early equipment, or modern equipment running on old wheels that have seen a lot of miles.

Personally, I use Bachmann's 31mm wheels almost exclusively. After a few days of running, the treads get fairly shiny, as would be prototypical, and they roll very smoothly, far better than plastic. Also, while I'm not in Arizona, I am 5000' closer to the sun than most, and my rails get HOT! Metal wheels are really a necessity here in Colorado as well. Even if you don't physically melt the plastic, heating it up makes the plastic soft, which increases the rolling resistance. (Think of driving on a flat tire.)

Later,

K

[highrailjon]

My Arist-Craft gondola I recently purchased came with plastic wheels and it keeps derailing. I'm wondering if a set of metal wheels will cure it?[:(]

[Marty Cozad]

I know LGB 53 ' flat cars come with plastic and I had to put steel on to keep them on the track in the middle of a train.

[smcgill]

They also lower the center of gravity!

[Anonymous]

St. Aubins stocks small and large Bachmann wheels and as stated, has a great deal on purchases of 48. I like the addional weight (wind concern with high cubes). Lots of great information here. Not aware of a coupler problem at this point, don't have the pike laid yet.

Thanks,
Rich

[vsmith]

Where you'll have trouble with the smaller wheels is where ever you have a switch as the lowered couplers will snag on the crossover rail and likely derail or at the least uncouple your train. Get the larger replacement wheels, keep the smaller ones. The newest version of the Ore car already has metal wheels, but if you dont mind the looks of the older plastic 1st gen ore cars, you could get them and use the small wheel sets you now have, or save them , since many smaller cars from LGB and Hartland will also work with them.

[Tom The Brat]

Highrail, I put metal wheels on my Aristo gondola and it runs very nicely. I'm not sure I even tried it with plastic.

[highrailjon]

Torby, LOL!! Everything is a learning curve!!![:D]

[whiterab]

Metal wheels are banned on my layout. In the summer Texas sun, they quickly became out of round. Ever see a prototype railroad with a flat?

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by whiterab

Metal wheels are banned on my layout. In the summer Texas sun, they quickly became out of round. Ever see a prototype railroad with a flat?

METAL wheels get out of round in the heat???????

Just how [censored][censored]ing HOT does it get down there?????

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I'd think the metal wheels would retain shape better in the heat than the plastic! Sure you didn't have a slip of the finger??

[vsmith]

I dunno Bob

After all, it IS Texas.[;)]

[BudSteinhoff]

If your metal wheels get out of round from the heat and are banned from your layout, what do you use water cooled ceramic wheels???????
I thought that it got hot here but never had any problem with metal wheels.
Bud[8D]

[Puckdropper]

To prevent the metal wheels from getting out of round, just fill your cars with water leaving an opening directly above the wheelsets for a small stream of water to fall on the wheels. That should keep them cool.

In case of a derailment, you don't have to water that part of the garden for a few days! (-:

[DavidGSmith]

I use metal wheels exclusively. I like the added wt. and find that they stay on the track better. Been a model railroader for 45+/- years and can't get rid of years of weighting things right.

[whiterab]

Sorry, I meant "Plastic" wheels are banned. - Dislexic typing skills [*^_^*].

[vsmith]

I dunno Whiterab
You are in Texas and I have seen lawn furniture melt in the sun there[:D][;)]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

OK, You're forgiven -- We all do that sometimes; just wanted to make sure we didn't have some new earth shattering discovery on our hands!

[Tom The Brat]

It all depends what you're metal wheels are made of. Those new sodium ones look nice, but just don't hold up!

[Anonymous]

TORBY
New logo for you ?? I have been replacing my plastic wheels alittle at a time , i still have some cars to go , when i have the funds i'll replace them, no hurry , ben

[Tom The Brat]

Yea, somehow, I like "Stitch." My kind of guy.

[Anonymous]

I'm slowly replacing my stock plastic wheels - have another 24 axles to go but I'm getting there! I like the noise, the added weight, the reduced rolling resistance and the way they keep the track cleaner.

[Anonymous]

I am very kean on metak wheels not only do they add a bit of weight down low (not much but a bit of a help) to improve centre of gravity but the LGB ones with power pick ups and ball bearings are the answer to a maidens prayer. You can expect the drag on you rolling stock to be lessened out of sight, making for much bigger trains if you have ome heavy grades as do I.


Rgds ian