Hello, all members,
I have recently heard that Ring Engineering is making working EOT devices in HO scale with the following wheelsets:
What website(s) do you know that could help me in my research of what cars have what wheels, so that I can maximize the effort better? So far, I have had no, or if any, bad, luck in my searches.
By the way, I am modeling present-day freight operations and plan to convert my freight car fleet's plastic wheels to non-magnetic metal wheels, so I need this information for conversion purposes.
Thanks in advance,
Kelly Dunlap
Kelly, You may want to re-post this thread in the "General Discussion" area, as it pertains little to actual prototype railroading, and this ( prototype) section does not get nearly as many visitors.
With that being said, the simplet way to replace a given wheelset is to measure the wheel diameter and axle length ( on pointed end axles) with a dial caliper, then multiply wheel diameter by 87 (for HO gauge, 1/87 scale) to get actual prototype size.
Example: I have an HO accurail kit of an ACF 3 bay Coverd Hopper, I measure the wheel diameter at 0.380", (or 380 thousands of an inch) multiplied by 87 = 33.06 or 33 scale inches, so these would be 33 inch wheels. Axle length does not get multiplied as it is just a referance to what length I need for the replacements, mine measure 0.849", so I want something very close to the same length so that my wheels still spin freely, without binding, or being too loose.
Hope this helps.
Hi Kelly,
The wheel size depends on the cars Load Limit. 33" wheels are used for cars with a load limit of 70 Tons and 36" wheels are for cars of 100 Ton load limits. Since you are modeling present day freight cars, here is a rough estimate of what wheel size goes with what car.
50' Boxcars - 33" wheels
Covered Hoppers (any type) - 36" wheels
Open Hoppers - 36" wheels
Gondolas - 36" wheels
Intermodal Equipment - 33" wheels
Articulated Intermodal well-cars have 33" wheels on ends and 38" wheels at articulated positions.
60' High Cubed Boxcars - 36" wheels
Tank Cars - 36" wheels
Bi-level Autoracks - 33" wheels
Tri-level Autoracks - 28" wheels
Centerbeam Flat cars - 36" wheels
This is all I can think of off the top of my head, if you need anymore info, feel free to email me. Email is listed in my user profile. Hope this helps.
Frank
AuTiger19 wrote: Hi Kelly,The wheel size depends on the cars Load Limit. 33" wheels are used for cars with a load limit of 70 Tons and 36" wheels are for cars of 100 Ton load limits. Since you are modeling present day freight cars, here is a rough estimate of what wheel size goes with what car.50' Boxcars - 33" wheelsCovered Hoppers (any type) - 36" wheelsOpen Hoppers - 36" wheels Gondolas - 36" wheelsIntermodal Equipment - 33" wheelsArticulated Intermodal well-cars have 33" wheels on ends and 38" wheels at articulated positions. 60' High Cubed Boxcars - 36" wheelsTank Cars - 36" wheelsBi-level Autoracks - 33" wheelsTri-level Autoracks - 28" wheels Centerbeam Flat cars - 36" wheelsThis is all I can think of off the top of my head, if you need anymore info, feel free to email me. Email is listed in my user profile. Hope this helps.Frank
While the above may be true for Prototype, I've found that Models vary greatly.
My Athearn Impack cars all have 28" wheels, and as stated in a previous post, I have a Covered Hopper with 33 inch wheels. If I remember right, my Athearn Articulated Well cars have 33 on ends and 36 in mids, while Walthers Well cars are as you stated.
Now if the OP'r is going to replace all the wheelsets on a given car, none of what comes on the original Model matters, and your List would be a good referance.