33" / 36" steel wheels

[Tachyon]

I'm ready to start changing my n scale cars over to steel wheels. But I am a little confused over the two sizes 33" & 36" that are available. I do not need low profile wheels (code 80 track). Can someone explain which size I would use on freight cars during the late 1950's? Appreciate the help!

Doug

[jrbernier]

Doug,

33" wheels are used on freight cars that had a capacity under 70 tons or less. Most 50's era cars had a capacity of 50 tons, with a 'tare' weight of about 23 tons. Heavier cars like the 2 bay cement hoppers had a capacity of about 70 tons, with a tare weight of almost 30 tons and would use 36" wheels. Modern 100-113 ton capacity cars like coal and grain hoppers use the 36" wheels. 125 ton capacity cars many times use 38" wheels. The larger wheels produce a larger 'contact patch' on the rail and reduce the point of impact.

Jim

[Tachyon]

Jim,
Many thanks, that's just what I needed. I'm anxious to start changing out these plastic wheels sets after all I’ve read on the forum about how steel wheels reduce the frequency of track cleaning.

Doug

[jrbernier]

Doug,

Atlas has good 33" and 36" metal wheel sets, and even has a 33" wheel set with the correct length axles just for the Micro-Trains trucks. Intermountain has excellent metal wheel sets, and NWSL may have some specialty wheel sets available for N scale.

Jim

[frisco1519]

My equipment is all HO scale but I have been ordering the Intermountain 33 and 36 inch wheels in bulk, 100 axles to a box. I also purchased a bunch of 28" for spline cars. They are excellent wheels and I am almost finished changing all of my rolling stock over to metal. They so make a big difference in performance.

[ereimer]

good info , thanks
were any other size wheels ever used ? specifically 1890 -1910 ?

[Don Gibson]

RAILROADS USED LARGER WHEELS ON HEAVIER MODERN EQUIPMENT, but don't be surprised if the model makers use all the same size.. Better to match to the model's wheel size and axle length or the coupler heights won't match, and you have to return them.

How will you know? A set of precision calipers, contacting the maker to ask - or trial & error.

BASICS: 36" for passenger - 33" for freight. There are exceptions, but they're exceptions.