Appearance wise, I'm in the same camp as Wayne, you are just trading one out of scale appearance for another. At least with the code 110 wheels, the whole truck as an assembly has reasonable proportions.
As for how they operate, they do work fine on trackage that is at least close to NMRA standards - but on many turnouts they do "bump" or "rock" more as they go thru frogs, especially large ones like #8's, no matter how carefully made.
I don't use them, I don't care for either of the conditions described above.
And I don't use those funny looking semi scale couplers either.
Again, it trades proportion for size. To make the semi scale coupler work with the original Kadee, the semi scale coupler has an elongated proportion despite its smaller size - no thank you - not to mention the reduced side to side gathering range using NMRA standard wheels and track.
Reliable operation first, detail and fine accuracy second in my world.
I hand layed my turnouts and track years ago. Not now except for special situations. I'm very happy with my code 83 Atlas track and turnouts, a few Walther turnouts (slip switches), code 110 wheels and original Kadee couplers.
The new layout will require nearly 140 turnouts - and I already have them.
Sheldon
The semi-scale wheels are supposedly closer in appearance (scale-wise) to the real ones, but they also exaggerate the overly-wide truck side-frames that are used on most HO scale rolling stock.I have a friend who uses the semi-scale ones, but to me, they look unusual in the standard sideframes.
Wayne
1. Semi-scale treads look better on cars where you can see them (tank cars, hoppers, etc.).
2. Semi-scale wheels (.088" tread in HO) run just fine on turnouts that are built to the NMRA standards, lie Fast Tracks turnouts.
3. Semi-scale wheels don't work well on many commercial turnouts, diamonds and such that are a few years old (that's most commercial turnouts from 20 years ago), because the flangeways at the frog are way too wide. I don't know about newer commercial turnouts.
4. On cars where the wheels aren't very visible from the ends (boxcars, gondolas, flatcars, etc.) standard .110" tread (HO) wheels are fine and will work with nearly all trackage.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Received an invitation from Moloco to take a Semi-scale or Standard tread wheelset survey. Maybe some forum members can bring me up to speed on the pros and cons so I can make an informed response to the survey.
Regards, Peter