Check your diesel wheel sizes

[RR_Mel]

I’ve been remotoring several Athearn SD frames and I came across a slight surprise.  I thought Athearn SD frames all had the same size wheels.  Out of one SD9 and four SD40-2s there were three different wheel diameters.  These varied from .475”, .478” and .482”.

 

I would suggest if you are having traction problems with your six axle Athearn SDs check the wheel size on every truck.  I found several trucks with different size wheels, one had three different size wheels in one truck.

 

I buy my locomotives off eBay most very cheap, this could be one of the reasons they are for sale.

 

I checked five Proto 2K SDs and all of them had .475” wheels the E series have .415” and the PAs have .480”.

 

So I guess I found out that wheels need to be checked for diameter.  When buying new wheels I’ve always bought the Athearn 42” 40029 that measure .4805”.  I checked two packages of 12, all were .4805”

 

I found out early on that Rivarossi wheel dimensions are measured at the outside of the Pizza cutter wheels.  The Rivarossi Cab Forward drivers measure .6375” or 55”, 7” short of the 62” on the real thing.

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

 

[Medina1128]

If I recall, there were some issues with Athearn SD locomotives derailing. Different sized wheels could be behind those issues.

 

[RR_Mel]

Might be the reason I was able to pick them up off eBay cheap, most under $40 including S&H.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[hon30critter]

RR_Mel

I’ve been remotoring several Athearn SD frames and I came across a slight surprise.  I thought Athearn SD frames all had the same size wheels.  Out of one SD9 and four SD40-2s there were three different wheel diameters.  These varied from .475”, .478” and .482”.

That's a bit of a let down. You would think that consistent wheel size would be a priority but apparently not.

I don't have any Athearn locomotives, but perhaps it would be wise to include a check of the wheel diameter on any locomotive that doesn't like to stay on the tracks.

Dave

[mikeGTW]

Mel  so now I have to go check all my athearn engines    thanks lol 

just wondering  some of those could be from gp style engines   same wheels ??

[RR_Mel]

I haven’t checked any of my GPs yet but after I see what wheels they have they’re going to eBay.  I’m only keeping my six axle diesels, I’m thinning my fleet.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.