N scale wheelsets

[Anonymous]

n2mopac

Here are some general rules of thumb for realism based on the prototype. 36" wheels are used on 100 ton trucks--much newer, heaver equipment. They are also generally used on passenger stock I believe. 33" wheels are the standard on 70 ton trucks and lighter equipment. 28" wheels are used on height-limited equipment sometimes--especially on double-stack intermodad equipment and I think on some autoracks.

As for axle lengths, Fox Valley wheelsets come in a number of lengths for different brad trucks. I believe the general rule of thumb is as follows: that

.540 inch: Micro Trains; Athearn
.553 inch: InterMountain; some Atlas
.563 inch: Concor; some Atlas; Bachmann

That said, axle lengths vary even within one brand (Atlas for example) so a good caliper used to measure the original axle length is a good idea and will save you some trial and error.

Good luck,

Ron

 

 

This is very helpful.

Thanks

[n2mopac]

Here are some general rules of thumb for realism based on the prototype. 36" wheels are used on 100 ton trucks--much newer, heaver equipment. They are also generally used on passenger stock I believe. 33" wheels are the standard on 70 ton trucks and lighter equipment. 28" wheels are used on height-limited equipment sometimes--especially on double-stack intermodad equipment and I think on some autoracks.

As for axle lengths, Fox Valley wheelsets come in a number of lengths for different brad trucks. I believe the general rule of thumb is as follows: that

.540 inch: Micro Trains; Athearn
.553 inch: InterMountain; some Atlas
.563 inch: Concor; some Atlas; Bachmann

That said, axle lengths vary even within one brand (Atlas for example) so a good caliper used to measure the original axle length is a good idea and will save you some trial and error.

Good luck,

Ron

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information.

I was able to get some information directly from Intermountain.

Some of their cars use Micro-Trains trucks, so even though the prototype has 36" wheels, the wheels on cars using those trucks are smaller.

 

[jlehnert]

Check the Fox Valley Models website. They have a listing of the axle lengths for all the different manufacturers 

[Catt]

For the MTL cars Intermountain makes specific metal wheels set just for these trucks.If my memory is working correctly (at the ripe old age of 71 I sometimes suffer from CRS)Fox Valley has sets specifically for MTL also.

The two cars you mention both use 36" wheels.

[Anonymous]

I was looking for some information on N scale wheelsets.

In particular, what size wheels are used on what cars.

I have a couple of Athearn tank cars. These are large LPG cars and I would expect them to have 36" wheels.

I have a couple of Intermountain 4750 cu. ft. covered hoppers. These are 4750 cu. ft. covered hoppers. These are large cars, and again I'd expect them to have 36" wheels.

But the wheels on the Intermountain cars seem smaller than the ones on the Athearn.

I'd like to change the wheelsets on the Athearn cars and I want to be sure I order the correct ones.

Also, I've been told that Micro-Trains uses 34-1/2" wheels on all cars.

I've also been told that wheelsets from different manufactuers have different axle lengths.

If anyone knows anything about these wheelsets, I'd appreciate getting some information.

Thanks