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Changing wheel sets out on older HO scale Diesel locomotives to run good on Code 80 track

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  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 128 posts
Posted by Canalligators on Thursday, May 9, 2019 9:00 PM

I took the cheap way out and filed down the flanges.  I applied track power to the loco with clip leads, to run the motor.  Then I stroked a single cut file diagonally across the flanges.  I kept going until the flanges fit the NMRA gauge.

For unpowered equipment, I made a little mandrel from a bolt and faucet washer and chucked it in an electric drill to spin the wheelset.  Then I used the same file on the flanges.  Plastic wheels don't take long at all, be careful that you don't take off too much material.

It is time-consuming to do this, but is very low cost.  And it works for equipment that you can't buy replacement wheels or wheelsets for.  And you can do it tonight, you don't have to wait for parts to arrive.

Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY
  ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority, run through Amtrak and CSX Intermodal

CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, May 9, 2019 8:59 AM

outdoorsman58

I will get some pictures shortly too post.

You better read the sticky on how to do that, it is not like other forums.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 5 posts
Posted by outdoorsman58 on Thursday, May 9, 2019 8:05 AM

I will get some pictures shortly too post. Thanks Guys.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 7:12 PM

It would be very helpful if we knew what locos you have, as in manufacturer.  I guess your wheel flanges are to big for code 83 track.

As Simon suggest, NWSL would be the best bet, at least until we know what locos you have.

NWSL I think is working it's way out of business, but their site is still active, with stock in hand.

http://www.nwsl.com/

Mike.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,672 posts
Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 4:36 PM

Can you provide more info about the locomotives? Can you post a picture? You might be able to change the wheels with NWSL wheel sets.

Simon

  • Member since
    March 2018
  • 5 posts
Changing wheel sets out on older HO scale Diesel locomotives to run good on Code 80 track
Posted by outdoorsman58 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 11:46 AM

I have some older Diesel locomotives that belongs to my father I would like to run on code 80 track. I know they work on code 100 track and will run on code 80 sounding like a zipper, some issues on the switches. Suggestions.  Dave

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