Hi, Just checking to see what size metal wheelsets to order for a Walthers 40ft Funnel Flow tank kit.
Should be 36" wheel sets. Basically, cars with a capacity up to 77 tons get 33" wheels, and over that have 36" wheels. The current production run from Walthers has 36" metal wheel sets. Walthers does not make this car in a 'kit' anymore...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernierThe current production run from Walthers has 36" metal wheel sets.
Walthers current metal wheelsets are pretty good too. I have a few cars with them and like how they roll. They also look better than the older Walthers metal wheels with unrealistic flat faces. Unless your examples exhibit operational problems, you might as well save a couple bucks and keep the stock wheels.
If you decide on replacements, ExactRail and Intermountain wheels both work well in Walthers trucks.
Rob Spangler
I have 2 old Walthers kits with plastic wheelsets.
hawkhero I have 2 old Walthers kits with plastic wheelsets.
Sorry - like Jim I was thinking current production cars. I THINK all these kits used Walthers own trucks (at least mine did), in which case the ExactRail or Intermountain 36" wheels work great. Some of the very early plastic cars sold under Walthers name in the late 80s or early 90s had Athearn roller bearing trucks in which the ER/IM axles can be too short.