HO scale layout. Era is 1940.. I want to upgrade all my Wheel sets on my Rolling Stock. 33' Walthers Proto or Tangent.. Metal wheels.. What are y'all's thoughts.
I use Intermountain metal wheelsets. They work fine. I purchase them in bulk packs and have replaced all my rolling stock plastic wheelsets with metal. The difference in rolling resistance is quite noticeable when you swap out a whole train.
Get a Micro-Mark Truck Tuner to ream out the axle holes in the trucks as you do the changes. In fact, get two because you'll always misplace one.
You may have some trucks that just can't be disassembled or that don’t work with heavier metal wheelsets. My problems were with old Tyco-Mantua Talgo trucks that wouldn't come apart and old Athearns with sprung trucks that wouldn't hold together. I bought a few packs of Tichy trucks and discarded the troublemakers.
While replacing the wheelsets, I take the time to paint and weather the sides of the trucks. I just use rust brown primer and brush with black weathering powder.
Don’t be afraid of getting extras. As your pike grows, you'll find kits from companies like Accurail that will need metal wheels immediately.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I second the choice of intermountian
Third, fouth, and fifth. Mr. B's also to the point (no pun) with the MicroMark truck tuner recommend. A bit pricey for a little hunk of metal but well worth it. Amazing what they'll sometimes scour out.
Accurail also makes quality truck frames.
Another vote here for Intermountain.
1000 pieces of rollingstock can't be wrong.
Sheldon
Hello All,
I too use Intermountain wheels.
Sprug vs. un-sprung trucks...performance gains or losses over looks? Your Thoughts???
After this thread, I switched to Accurail Black Roller bearing trucks.
The Micro-Mark truck tuner makes this wheel and truck combination roll smoothly with little friction.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Intermountain hands down. Rolls like a dream.
I used to outfit my steam-early diesel rolling stock with Walthers ribbed wheelsets and was very happy with them. Sadly, the ribbed wheelsets are now only available with trucks. Since then I've been using Kadee ribbed wheelsets when outfitting my rolling stock kits from Accurail. They work well.
I did purchase some Tangent flat back wheelsets a few months ago but haven't used them yet. They are very nice looking and have a darkened anodized appearance. You can also buy them in bulk to save money. Given the overwhelming consensus here on IM wheelsets, I may have to try them and compare them with the Tangents and Proto 2000s.
And I whole-heartedly agree that the Micro-Mark truck tuner is worth purchasing. I've had rollability improve drastically after using it on more than a few trucks.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Strictly Intermountain wheelsets for me. Got them on all of my rolling stock, passenger and freight.
Rich
Alton Junction
jjdamnit Hello All, I too use Intermountain wheels. Sprug vs. un-sprung trucks...performance gains or losses over looks? Your Thoughts??? After this thread, I switched to Accurail Black Roller bearing trucks. The Micro-Mark truck tuner makes this wheel and truck combination roll smoothly with little friction. Hope this helps.
Well here is a more up to date discussion on sprung trucks with an explaination of why the Intermountain wheelset is the best design.
https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/288283.aspx
richhotrain https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/288283.aspx
Thank you - I had the secret handshake written down somewhere? Silly idea that the technology should actually work?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/288283.aspx Thank you - I had the secret handshake written down somewhere? Silly idea that the technology should actually work?
I needed to spare you any further grief. I always keep that secret handshake close by.
Adding to the din of Intermountain recommendations:
I had switched to Proto wheelsets. Eventually I started having lots of derailments, so I posted about it here. Most said go the Intermountain.
I would change out wheelsets on any car that derailed. This greatly reduced the derailments. THEN, I discovered some of my hand laid turnout guard rails were too tight. I fixed them, and this stopped the dreailments, including with Proto. The point is, The IM sets are more tollerant of slight imperfections in trackwork.
I have a string of AHM Ore cars, they rolled poorly and had a LOT of drag until I used the Truck Tuner and IM wheelsets.
Dan
Excellent advice from Mr. B. I too use Intermountain wheelsets, bought in bulk packs. There is something satisfying about working on a car, with the heft of a jar of 200 Intermountain wheelsets available for use.