metal wheels

[Anonymous]

I,m converting all my rolling stock to metal wheels and my question is which cars get 33 inch wheels and which get 36 inch wheels I was told any truck with three springs gets 36 in but this does not look right. all my stock is modern thanks J.J

[Anonymous]

Generally, freight cars with a capacity greater than 70-80 tons use 36" wheels, lighter capacity cars use 33". Most modern freight cars are 80 tons or greater. Keep in mind that the 36" wheel may raise coupler height and you may need to modify the bolster. Low coupler height is esier to adjust using Kadee or similar washers. Lowering coupler height may take extensive modification.

[Anonymous]

J>J
Another consideration you may wi***o factor in
your wheel conversion is what manufacturers offers
the best performing sets that gives maximum monentum & for what price. The following are possible considerations, intermountain, jaybee,
kadee, & lifelike. Kato also sells trucks with
wheels sets that are slick as glass but are pricey. Also depends upon how many cars you wish
to convert. Perhaps other readers can share their
experiences and recommendations..

[Anonymous]

In addition to what Charles said, I have used Life Like, Jay Bee, and Kadee wheelsets. All roll exceptionally well. The LL and KD, use delrin, or fiber axles, wile the JB use metal axles. After using all three I liked the JB the best because they added extra weight because of the metal axles and solid, blackened brass wheels. You can also put a small amount of Kadee Grease Em, a fine graphite powder, to help any brand of wheelset to roll a little better.

Hope this helped.
Terry

[Anonymous]

J J

This is a great question. I'm looking at the same problem, and I am glad to get the help. I have also heard about 38 inch dia. wheels. Where are these used? Passenger cars only? What would be the beginning date? (I have some Amtrack Streamline cars made by Athern for example) Would I use 38 inch wheels on Well cars? What about other intermodal equipment?

As for my experience, I have used a roller bearing truck from Con Cor which is very free rolling and adds weight (which is important for the Impak Trailer cars for example). I have been happy with these although I have them on only a few cars right now. I don't know how they compare to the other brands noted before, but they are all big name companies in modeling so I would expect them all to perform well.

My 2 cents. - Ed

[Anonymous]

Ed,here's another 2 cents. The Rivarossi heavy
weight cars that use to be advertised in MR used
33inch, while the new Walthers budd 85' to be released in June??will have 36inch.
Getting back to freight, I'm told it depends when
the car was manufactured,PreWWII, after WWII, as
well as the is it a 70,100 or 100 ton frame. As you can see, there are a few variables. You want
to make sure that there is sufficient clearence
with the truck sideframes and bottom of car.

[Anonymous]

Charles Two questions 1. What about the Amtrack MHC's and Superliners 33 or 36 in 2. I have quite a few PS-2s and ACFs I read what Greg said but the wheels look bigger or am I just seeing somthing wrong Thanks J.J

[Anonymous]

J.J, in part I can answer some of your questions.
I suspect the 85' superliners, like the 85'budds
are also 36". There are a bunch of-rules of thumb-
because of a variety of freight cars and there
are exceptions to those rules, but the following
is only a partial listing that I picked up from
another site.
Some of the newest hoppers(1980's) may use 38" on
125 ton sideframes.
38" on 125 ton trucks on anhydrous ammonia.
36" 54' ACF center flo's, 50' tank cars, 100 ton
coal hoppers, cylindrual covered hoppers, 2 bay
100 ton capacity hoppers, 2 bay ACF covered hoppers, 40' cement hoppers.
33" box cars 40 & 50', flat cars, cabooses, 34'& 40' granules hoppers.
Beer can cars can vary depending on the density & weight of cargo.
Auto rack cars may use 28" for clearance reasons.
Remember, when reinstalling you must have sufficient clearance with the truckside frames and the bottom of car. As Greg pointed out previously, changing wheel size, changes coupler
height. What is needed is a universal wheel set
ID listing like what is available with the knuckle couplers.