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Typo,  Most freight cars from the transition era take 33" wheels.  Modern freight cars may use 36" as well. 33" wheelsets measure approximately .382" +/- .001 in the middle of the tread (there is a slight taper).  Walthers Proto 2000 and Kadee wheelsets have plastic axles, useful if you have metal sideframes.  I use Walthers Proto 2000 wheelsets and Intermountain wheelsets mostly.   I do not use plastic wheelsets.  They get their axles cut and the wheels get added to scrap loads.  If you think you might be interested in scratch building in brass, get an inexpesive metal one, instead of a plastic one.  You get what you pay for with precision instruments.   Starrett is a trustworthy brand name.  Their low end dial calipers are made in China.  The next most inexpensive one is made in USA, in Athol, Massachusetts.  Your buget may vary, and an inexpensive hardware store or hobby shop caliper will be more than sufficient if all you are doing is measuring wheelsets.  Before I had a dial caliper, I would assume everything used 33" wheelsets.  If the couplers were low, I would swap them for 36".  Too high at 36" they get 33" and fiber or brass shims.
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