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Years ago MDC made some very slippery wheel sets acetal wheels and metal axles in acetal side frames. (Fox sideframes on some of the oldtimers) Probably the best rolling trucks I've ever seen. I've some older metal wheel, axle and sideframe trucks that never rolled well. You're trying to reduce friction. The harder and smaller the contact points between the rail, wheel and axle bearing the less friction. Too long axles are going to be generating extra thrust friction (horizontal) against the side frames until one or the other wears down to fit right. A slightly too short axle will be fine if it stays in, in fact, since it reduces the contact area it is going to roll a little better. Performance may suffer as it can move back and forth in the side frame. The sideframe tuners can't hurt if used correctly. The smoother the wheel the less likely it is to pick up crud. Ergo the sintered Athearn wheels not smooth picked up crud. Could be some of the crud being deposited is plastic from wheels wearing to the railhead profile. Some of the plastic wheels will pick it up. Assuming the axles are metal aand the side frames plastic or metal, metal wheels being harder will have less rolling friction. Does graphite help? Might help some on metal axle to metal side frame. Probably not on plastic side frames
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