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N scale wheel size?

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  • Member since
    November 2003
  • 760 posts
Posted by Roadtrp on Thursday, April 8, 2004 3:11 PM
Thanks for the info!

[:)]
-Jerry
  • Member since
    November 2001
  • From: US
  • 1,720 posts
Posted by MAbruce on Thursday, April 8, 2004 6:31 AM
In a search of another forum, I came up with these answers:

"As a rule of thumb, if a car has a capacity near 180,000 lb. or higher, it runs on 36" wheels. Otherwise, lower capacity cars NORMALLY run on 33" wheels. "

"On the real railroads, 36" wheels have been used on passenger cars for a very long time. On freight cars, 33" wheels were standard as long as the capacity of the cars didn't exceed 50 tons. As a rough rule of thumb, all cars with capacities of 100 tons or more should have 36" wheels. Many cars of 70 tons capacity -- which includes most freight cars built since 1960 or so -- also have 36" wheels."

I'd say stick with 33" on freight cars to ensure you will not have issues with differing coupler heights. Also be careful of compatibility. I tried to swap my MDC wheels out for some metal Lifelike and they didn’t fit all well (didn’t roll freely). I would think the most compatible trucks would be MT or Atlas.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • 760 posts
N scale wheel size?
Posted by Roadtrp on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 11:54 PM
What is the most common wheel size in N scale -- 33" or 36"? I would like to replace the plastic wheels that I have on one of my freight cars, and I'm uncertain of what size to buy.

Thanks for any help you can provide. [:)]
-Jerry

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