What brand of wheelsets do you use?

[Anonymous]

"I was using Kadees, but I am now trying to find a better wheelset. That is why I don't have Kadee listed if that is what you wanted to vote for."

Never mind the above. Thanks to a suggestion by Mondotrains, I am staying with Kadee's.

[AntonioFP45]

I'm using Proto 2000. I've been converting all of my HO frieght cars. Haven't touched my Rivorossi passenger cars yet but I'm planning on it.

From what I've read on another thread discussing wheel sets, I'll probably wind up filing or cutting off the brake shoes on my passenger car's trucks to be able to fit the "36 wheels. I could us "33, but IMHO it would be too noticeable.

[Anonymous]

I have tried most of the available wheel sets.I am now set on Intermountain (Reboxx) wheel sets as the best of the lot.I am slowly replacing all others.

[Jetrock]

I recently switched over to semi-scale Intermountain wheelsets and am very happy with the results. I have had fewer problems with derailments than with my plastic wheels--the flanges aren't THAT much narrower, and the added weight at the lowest point on the car more than makes up for it--plus the smooth running is a real bonus. Even using (mostly) stock sideframes I had no trouble, except with one car that had individually sprung sideframes--the wheelsets kept falling out, and it ran horribly. But with a solid sideframe most of my (mostly stock Athearn blue-box) rolling stock ran wonderfully.

[Anonymous]

NWSL exclusively. Never had a bad one, have had no disappointments and no failures. I have tried others but have always found a small percentage to be out of gauge and/or out of round. I have no one piece truck frames, all mine are sprung if that makes a difference.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Be C A R E F U L. Wheel sets vary in axle lengths. I have used the IM 36" ball bearing(pricey) and
the 36" non ball bearing. Slick roll

[orsonroy]

I'm using Proto 2000 due to their lower relative cost, and to standardize on ONE wheelset for my entire fleet (keeps thinks simpler). I'd switch to semi scale wheels if Proto made 'em.

[Anonymous]

I have converted everything on the layout to P2K wheel sets except my passenger cars, which will eventually be converted. I love them! I like the detailed lettering on the hub and the fact that they are silver on the tread. There are some trucks that probably should have longer axles, however, everything seems to be working well, so I'm satisfied. I have been getting them from M. B. Klien, they're practically giving them away. I love the little clickity-clack as the wheels cross rail joints and almost wish I had more joints!?! I also see very little garp building up on them. The plastics actually increased in diameter with all the crud they picked up.

[Anonymous]

After testing many different company's wheels several years ago I've had the best luck with Atlas. They roll better then other manufacters wheels ,plus there are'nt any crooked wheels or axels. I use 33'' caboose wheels and 36'' 100 ton wheels that I bought in packs of 100. Atlas caboose wheels axles and the 100 ton axles are the same length so they fit any truck frame. The 33" freight car wheels Atlas has, have shorter axles so they won't fit right. To check rolling qualty I have a special car that I use.In my layout I have a low spot in the track .It's about 3 ft. long and 1/2 inch lower. I let the car go on the down hill side,With Atlas wheels it rolles into the dip and sometimes all the way through.Other manufactor wheels will not make it all the way across.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mustache

After testing many different company's wheels several years ago I've had the best luck with Atlas.

Never tried them but have heard of good reports.

[AggroJones]

On most cars I use Intermountain. If they won't fit the trucks, Protos or Kadees will be substituted. I sure would use IM on everything if money permitted. Their weight and design make for a smooth ride.
If I knew I was going to have this many freight cars, I would have bought the Intermountain 100 bulk pack.

[Anonymous]

Go with proto i've used atlas and they don't like whalters or atheran freight cars. I've never used IM. i don't like kadees eithier. All my normally run cars have proto wheels and kadee couplers

[CBQ_Guy]

I haven't joined the herd to converting over and never understood why. I certainly don't want my cars to roll all that freely! I'd have to use a laser level to build the layout so a spotted car or string wouldn't roll away!

The ones that come with the kits are generally fine with me. If they're REALLY bad I'll use the Kadee ones as a replacement. My friend replaces ALL his wheelsets with Kadee's and he doesn't seem to need to clean his track anymore than he ever did, and that hasn't changed since he's switched over to DCC either. I just don't understand the need for it personally.

[Anonymous]

I am using Reboxx, InterMountain, P2K, and of course, the stock Atlas and Kadee. Quite frankly, I see very little difference among them. The Reboxx probably roll freer than the others, but I doubt if the difference is worth the cost differential. P2K is quite good enough!

Ron B

[cacole]

I don't believe Kadee wheelsets wear away any more than other brands. I have all different brands of plastic and metal wheelsets, and haven't noticed any undue wear. The only time I can imagine that wear would be a problem is if your train runs 8 or so hours a day as part of a store demo or something. Wheelsets should last for many years and not wear out under normal use. But on new items, I'm now using Proto 2000 because I think they are the freest rolling of any brand.

[Anonymous]

I use Proto because they seem to be more free wheeling then the others, thus I have less problems. The difference can be felt when pulling or pushing a bunch of heavy cars up a grade.

[Anonymous]

I'm using Proto metal wheels - they seem a pretty good fit for Athearn cars though they're a bit looser than I'd like. I'm intrigued to hear about Kadee wheelsets potentially causing trouble - I only have one car fitted with these (an old Rail Power Products 56' well car kit that I fitted with Kadee trucks (and couplers)) Which has never cause any trouble, but then again, it does spend most of its time parked in the yard awaiting a suitable load.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

I'm using Proto metal wheels - they seem a pretty good fit for Athearn cars though they're a bit looser than I'd like.


Here some variables furnished by Master Modeler Nigel from this forum.
P2K axle lengths-1.008, Intermountain - 1.013. KD -1.018 and the list goes on.

I understand from an Atlas forum member that the Atlas caboose wheels fit Athearn cars perfectly.

When I bot my freight cars I bot better quality and didn't have to go thru all this crap
but it was one hell of a learning lesson on passenger cars.

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