I model the early 1980s and have different freight cars of varying lengths. I'm soon going to replace some plastic wheels on centerflow hoppers (w/ build dates from the 1960s or 1970s). Most of them have 33" wheels but I do have other freight cars with 36" wheels. Should I make all the freight car wheels the same size? As a test, I've not encountered any derailment issues when running consists with one car having 33" wheels next to another with 36" wheels.
Thanks all!
kasskabooseMost of them have 33" wheels but I do have other freight cars with 36" wheels. Should I make all the freight car wheels the same size?
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No. On an reasonably accurate model the wheel size a model manufacturer puts on a model is deternined by the wheel size on the prototype.
Although the difference is slight changing the wheel size could result in problems with the vertical alignment of couplers. (assuming the alignment is good to begin with).
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
kasskaboose I'm soon going to replace some plastic wheels on centerflow hoppers (w/ build dates from the 1960s or 1970s). Most of them have 33" wheels but I do have other freight cars with 36" wheels.
There's what came with and what the car should have. If they are centerflow hoppers and have 100 ton weight limits, then they theoretically should have 36 inch diameter wheels. On the other hand, if the manufacturer designed the car around 33 inch wheels then installing 36 inch wheels may cause rubbing on the underframe and other issues.
In HO scale a 36" wheel is .034" taller than a 33" wheel, roughly 1/32 inch When you figure from the center line, .017" 20 pound printer paper is .004 thick, so your looking at about the thickness of 4 sheets of paper.
maxman kasskaboose I'm soon going to replace some plastic wheels on centerflow hoppers (w/ build dates from the 1960s or 1970s). Most of them have 33" wheels but I do have other freight cars with 36" wheels. There's what came with and what the car should have. If they are centerflow hoppers and have 100 ton weight limits, then they theoretically should have 36 inch diameter wheels. On the other hand, if the manufacturer designed the car around 33 inch wheels then installing 36 inch wheels may cause rubbing on the underframe and other issues.
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.