Wheelsets for Athearn PS Hopper

[XG01X]

I'm looking for recommendations for replacement wheelsets on my Athearn PS hoppers. Anyone have any accurate favs?

[ClinchValleySD40]

I use P2K 36". Other brands (IM) will also work, just make sure you use 36" (100 ton) wheels.

[BRAKIE]

I use the P2K 33" wheels as my standard replacement wheel sets.I found this save me from having to worry about different coupler heights due to wheel size or using unrealistic under or over shank couplers.[;)]
Now if you are after accuracy then use the 36" wheel as suggested by CV.

[dknelson]

I like Kadee's wheels but I do use the wire brush on my motor tool to poli***he wheel treads first. They seem to roll very well in the Athearn trucks.
Dave Nelson

[XG01X]

I think I'm going to roll with the Kadee.
I'll be throwing out some dough., but hey it happens

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

I use P2K 36". Other brands (IM) will also work, just make sure you use 36" (100 ton) wheels.

Duplicate the size the car originally came with or you'll have coupler height problems.

If they came with 36" wheels - then replace with 36' wheels. Many (try most) manufacturers stick with one-size-fit's-all philosophy regardless what the prototype does, to save money ,plus 50% of the buyer's don't see the difference or really care.
A good example is Jay Bee made prototypical ContainerCars wheel setss , only to find the car's manufacturer had designed all 5 fto use the same ( and wrong) size.wheels.
Guess what? Buyers found it easier to return them to the dealer, than modify the cars.

[ClinchValleySD40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

I use P2K 36". Other brands (IM) will also work, just make sure you use 36" (100 ton) wheels.

Duplicate the size the car originally came with or you'll have coupler height problems.

If they came with 36" wheels - then replace with 36' wheels. Many (try most) manufacturers stick with one-size-fit's-all philosophy regardless what the prototype does, to save money ,plus 50% of the buyer's don't see the difference or really care.
A good example is Jay Bee made prototypical ContainerCars wheel setss , only to find the car's manufacturer had designed all 5 fto use the same ( and wrong) size.wheels.
Guess what? Buyers found it easier to return them to the dealer, than modify the cars.

I don't understand what you're saying. If they provide wrong size, stick with wrong size?

I replace mine with what the car is supposed to have and I have never had any coupler height problems. If it's a 100 ton car, it needs 36" wheels or it is wrong.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

I use the P2K 33" wheels as my standard replacement wheel sets.I found this save me from having to worry about different coupler heights due to wheel size or using unrealistic under or over shank couplers.[;)]
Now if you are after accuracy then use the 36" wheel as suggested by CV.

[#ditto]

It's a 55 ton hopper so 33" wheels will work! This is confirmed wih my NMRA guage.

As Always

Fergie

[Anonymous]

I fitted Proto 36in wheelsets to my Athearn PS hoppers - I found that these, along with a couple of Kadee's red washers on the truck pivots, gave the correct height with Kadee #5s. The standard wheelsets were 36in but they were the usual uneven plastic "wobblers". I've also fitted the Proto wheels to the Athearn ACF Centreflow hopper though these still needed #47 couplers to achieve the right height. Hope this is of help to someone!

[ClinchValleySD40]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

I use the P2K 33" wheels as my standard replacement wheel sets.I found this save me from having to worry about different coupler heights due to wheel size or using unrealistic under or over shank couplers.[;)]
Now if you are after accuracy then use the 36" wheel as suggested by CV.

[#ditto]

It's a 55 ton hopper so 33" wheels will work! This is confirmed wih my NMRA guage.

As Always

Fergie

Sorry, I guess we were talking about different cars. The only Athearn PS hopper that I was aware of was the 100ton covered grain hoppers.