Medina1128Since the post is about Athearn passenger cars, I wonder if anyone has run into the older passenger cars with the cast metal trucks? I wanted to replace the wheels, because the wheels on one end of the axles are plastic, and the opposite wheels are plastic......
I have a few of them, bought used for next to nothing. I converted them into wooden baggage cars:
The camera was fairly level for the above photo, which shows one of the cars on a 2.5% grade. It's not moving, and even when pushed won't roll too far on its own. I'll eventually attend to it, but it's not really much of a concern - that's why I modify my locomotives to be better pullers.
This is another one of the older cars. It got new trucks (well, not really "new", as they're from Central Valley) but that was to better match those shown in a photo of the real car:
I very seldom change-out wheelsets for metal ones - Rivarossi passenger cars are probably the biggest exception for me, as they get Kadees. Cars which come with metal wheels generally keep them, and I have used after-market trucks with metal wheels on a few detailing projects, but I prefer the plastic ones, as they're quieter.
Wayne
Since the post is about Athearn passenger cars, I wonder if anyone has run into the older passenger cars with the cast metal trucks? I wanted to replace the wheels, because the wheels on one end of the axles are plastic, and the opposite wheels are plastic. I just replaced them with plastic trucks, painted and weathered, and used metal wheelsets. And, IIRC, the original metal ones were the sintered iron wheels.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Reboxx has some tables where you may find some more info if needed. But I assume you have a caliper and can measure your actual items and the question is the specs on alternates to the Athearns that might be available.
http://www.reboxx.com/wheelsets.htm
I would point out that getting identical or near identical length axles may not be as critical as one might think. I converted my freight car trucks (mostly Bowser, Accurail and older Athearns, plus other brands) to metal wheelsets and measured the original pointed axle lengths. I worked with Proto 2000 and Intermountain 33" metal wheelsets In lots of cases, even though neither was as quite as long as the originals, the looser (somewhat shorter axle) Intermountains usually rolled out from a downhill run a little better. Maybe other factors/differences involved, like axle material, wheels or exact shape of the axle point. My main point being that achieving near exact axle length may not be as critical as one might think, though I'd of course avoid anything longer than original.
Sorry I can't provide much more info on your specific needs. I do have some 36"(?) Intermountains that I put on some Athearn heavyweights that I re-did. The Intermountain axles measure about 1.0015" and the wheels about 0.4105". The original Athearns measured 1.0245" axles and about 0.040" metal wheel and 0.041" plastic wheel. The IM in 12 pack are about $0.84 per axle and the Athearns (8 pack) about $1.13. I don't know (can't find) the specs on the Athearn "long" vs "short" axle version. I note on the Reboxx site that none of their 33" or 36" replacement axle listings are >1.044", so if yours are 1.2"-plus, they are unusual.
If it were me, I'd choose what rolled the best (try both, if the orig length is 1.0xx") at that price difference. Again, I'm lost with the Athearn long/short thing. Maybe call them.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Couplers-Trucks-Wheelsets-s/1452.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1452&show=30&page=1&brand=Intermountain
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Athearn-HO-36-Metal-Wheelset-p/ath-90502.htm
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
RR_Mel I need help with wheel sets. I’m wanting to replace some Athearn Streamline passenger car plastic wheel/metal wheels with two metal wheels. I haven’t been able to find specs on axle length. My Athearn pointed axles measure 1.245” the metal wheel measures .405” the plastic wheel measures .413”. I’m looking for a better price than what Athearn’s sell for. I have been buying the Athearn metal wheel sets, both metal wheels measure .43” with a 1.21” axle. Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I would just stay with the Athearn metal wheelsets - the lenght is fairly unique, I don't think you will find a better price.
I bought a bunch of the new Athearn wheelsets to convert my large fleet of Athearn cars - stramlined and heavyweight.
Sheldon