Large Scale Central

Brake wheel shaft diameter (LGB, USA)?

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Here’s kind of a strange question I hope someone can answer.

I’d like to add high brake wheels to my LGB and USA stockcar and boxcar fleet. High meaning like this:

The LGB cars are 4068 (D&RGW stockcars)

The USA cars are:

  • D&RGW Reefer #78 (USA 1603)
  • D&RGW Boxcar #3271 (USA 19081)
  • D&RGW Boxcar #3393 (USA 1949B)
  • D&RGW Boxcar #3689 (USA 1943)

There are pass through holes in the roof or maybe molded to the car (I can’t remember exactly) that LGB and USA use for their plastic brake wheels. I’d like to use brass rod for the new brake wheel shaft. But I’d like it to be the same diameter (or close to) the LGB and USA brake wheel shafts.

What I need to know is the diameter of the brake wheel shaft that comes on LGB and USA cars. Or what corresponding brass rod works?

My rolling stock is in Colorado. I’m in California now. I won’t be in Colorado until the summer. So I’m hoping someone can help me figure out the diameter so I can have all the parts ready to go when I get to Colorado this summer. It is a lot easier to order parts while I’m in California then it is while I’m in Colorado. We’re kind of at the end of the road out there and not everyone will deliver to us.

#2

Sorry Matt, I just saw this today so I’m bumping it back to the top of the page. I’ll see if I can’t get that measurement for you this weekend.

#3

HI Matt

I have 2 of the LGB green stock cars and one has the brake wheel shaft that goes all the way through and the other just sits on top. I inquired about this discrepency her on the forum and it seems LGB made 3 versions of this car over the years. If your LGB cars have the full shaft it measures 5/64th.

I didn’t know how to measure it so I grabbed my drill index and used that. It will not fit in the 1/16 hole. I took a metal brake wheel shaft off one of my USAT reefers and that does fit the 1/16th hole.

Hope this helps.

Todd

#4

the plastic brake wheel shafts from USA Mic out at 2.08mm / or.082",for a tad more than 1/16". So pick up 1/16" brass rod for your work Matt

#5

Matt,

I use 1/16" or 0.0625" brass rod by approximately 7" long on the 1:20.3 car kits I have built. That size should work for your application. Best source I have found is on amazon.com - various lengths and sizes.

FYI - if one checks the size of the brass rod, you’ll find it to be oversized by 0.003 to 0.005".

Jerry

#6

Excellent info. Thanks a bunch.

By the way, my LGB stock cars all have the brakewheel that sits on top. Never knew they made a full length one.

So looks like 1/16" will work for USA trains. I wonder if it would also work for the LGB stock cars if I slightly enlarge the hole the brake wheel shaft goes into on those cars.