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Cleaning track and plastic wheels vs metal wheels
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<p>I had the same question about two years ago and decided then to r n' r all my rolling stock with metal wheels, and I am really glad I did.</p> <p>Firstly, almost all my rolling stock was from EBay and, while the bodies are usually good, used wheel sets are often in poor to very poor condition (as are many couplers). I have to take that into account when bidding on sets of cars......how much extra will I need for wheel coupler upgrades.</p> <p>As to cleanliness....just look at a typical plastic wheel that has been in use. You probably will be able to scrape up a ring of dirt residue from the tire. I can't find this residue on metal wheel sets at all.</p> <p>I also find that derailments where the car has picked the point at a turnout almost always involve a car with a plastic wheelset. What is happening is that the older plastic wheelsets such as those on cars like yours do not necessarily have contours that promote smooth running through iffy areas....the flanges are too sharp and often too deep...(see NMRA RP25 contours instead). They will pick gaps and ride up on spike plates and ballast that is a little high.</p> <p>Anyhoo....I use Proto 2000 wheel sets almost exclusively.</p> <p><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/dcrane_2007/a20792912e784304c6e75a_m.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" border="0" /></p> <p>That is because they are the best ones supplied by my LHS and the ones I often find for a good price from my favourtie online HO stores. A pack costs me between $9 and $12 depending if I buy several packs a once or a single from my LHS, You can see that it works out to $3 to $4 per car conversion. But you can probably beat that. I live in an expensive area. If a person is willing to by axles by the 100s, he can find good bulk deals from online stores etc.</p> <p>I found that the Proto 2000 also have an axle point that fits with most trucks, unlike some others. And they fit perfectly with a truck that has been reamed with truck tuner tool (see below).</p> <p>Another benefit of switching wheel sets is that I used various heights (scale 30" 33" or 36" in combination with standard, underset or overset couplers to bring all my cars into line with coupler height even though they are from many many suppliers and many many years of production.</p> <p>I second the opinion above that you convert your favourites first, and also that machined wheel sets are better than cast ones.....Proto 2000 are cast, unfortunately.</p> <p>A must for old trucks is the truck tuner tool. This can be a nuisance to use at times....because it is difficult to get it into position unless the truck is off the car.....and I don't always do that, but it is needed to ensure the cars roll smoothly. Even if you think they are ok, this will make a difference.</p> <p><img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/dcrane_2007/trucktuner.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" border="0" /></p> <p>But I'm just another old guy who thinks he knows [2c] worth of technique.</p>
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