Large Scale Central

Too many cars not enough wheels..

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

I have been collecting metal wheels mostly used Bachmann ones as they became available at decent prices and today I thought I would add some to my sacrificial rolling stock that stays outside all the time.
There are 12 pieces but I only had enough metal wheels for 6 so I replaced the plastic wheels closest to the coupler on each truck.
The freight car recieves the benefits of 2 metal wheels and I put them at the coupler end to aid in going through switches etc…
We got a lot of rain last night so the layout is soaked but once it dries out I will test run this equipment. The wheels are the same size so I don’t see anything wrong with doing this swap.

Am I missing anything here or am I just really really clever? :wink:

#2

I’m surprised they are exactly the same diameter.

I’ve not had any success doing this, the mismatch in size and weight between axles caused reliability issues… yes I tried it once.

Greg

#3

I have a few cars with mismatched metal wheels (USA/Aristo or Bachmann/Heartland). I haven’t noticed a problem. But I think Greg may be onto something about such an uneven weight distribution. Also, if half of the wheels are still plastic, you aren’t reaping the benefits of no longer running plastic wheels.

#4

As I understand this, you are mixing plastic and metal wheels on the same cars. All I can say about that is that I never run plastic wheels on anything. Don’t plastic wheels leave a black residue on the track, that eventually if you are using any kind of track power, interfere with the engine getting power from the track.

Paul

#5

I think that running cars with both metal and plastic wheels would make them prone to derailing. They are unbalanced and I think the plastic wheels would tend towards being pulled off the track.

#6

I’m not sure that the lack of mass on the plastic wheels is not a theoretical rather than a practical consideration.

But I have found that just as there are no other standards in G trains, not all wheels are the same size. I’ve slowly switched to SanVal wheels, but do have a number of other mfgrs metal wheels. Don’t mix 'em. The only consistency I’ve found is that Bachmann’s 24 mm wheels are all the same size.

#7

Steve, when I tried it, I noticed that “bumps” and other pertubations seemed to affect the plastic wheels first and I had some weird derailments.

Greg

#8

Lots of interesting points made here. This evening I ran all the cars and all was good. Perhaps since the plastic wheels and metal ones were Bachmanns they are the same size or close enough.
I believe by putting the metal wheels “first” they take the brunt of bumps and the plastic ones follow along for the ride.
More miles and backing through switches will tell the true tale but so far I’m very pleased with the added weight and better rolling. As time and cash allows I will continue to replace those plastic wheels.

#9

The Bachmann wheels tend to be pretty lightweight, so perhaps the uneven weight concern would be negligible (compared to CNC turned solid wheels from Aristo or USAT)

#10

As for size difference, as long as the truck can rock fore and aft that shouldn’t be an issue. Like I said, I have some trucks with mixed metal wheels (USA/Aristo and Bachmann/Heartland), and it doesn’t seam to be an issue

#11

Since the first test runs I have found a few more metal wheels and added them on but still need more to complete the rest of the rolling stock.
The results to date of having half metal and half plastic wheels on the cars have been nothing but positive. One thing that has really surprised me is my track is staying cleaner. I know that plastic wheels do break down and leave a residue on the rails. I have noticed this in my holiday display where the train runs multiple laps around a short loop. I never suspected that plastic wheels could leave just as much residue over hundreds of feet of track that is subject to being washed with rain but they do.
My S4 used to run one lap and need to be brought in for a cleaning but now that the freight is running 60% metal wheels I have been able to run a dozen laps plus before a cleaning.

Metal wheels are good. even the cheaper bachmann ones.
They lower the center of gravity of the car.
Track better in forward and reverse.
Are more forgiven and less prone to derailment over rough track and switches.
They keep the track cleaner for better electric conductivity.

#12

Todd, yes. And that is why so many of use metal wheels, and they just sound so cool too.

#13

Some of the metal wheel will rust if you leave them out.

#14

Noticed that too.

The cast pot metal ones just corrode in moist climates

The sintered steel ones, that seem to be taking over will rust no question.

In the good old days, when people could afford to cnc machine metal and you had nice brass wheels with chrome or nickle plating all was good.

May have to start spraying anti-corrosion spray (I use the marine stuff) on most wheels… oh well, it stays for a long time.

Greg

#15

I get Gary Raymond’s steel wheels on purpose, fully expecting them to rust. After all, that’s what happens in the wild.

#16

I paint my wheels a mix of black and ruddy brown, to simulate varying degrees of rust, on my wheels. I was kinda shocked when them AML metal wheels corroded, the colour isn’t quite the rust colour I had in mind.

Greg, the CNC machines wheels don’t look to me to have the correct face profile. And the Bachmann wheels are sintered, but I haven’t had any of them rust on me yet.

#17

I have a string of coal hoppers that I have painted most of the wheels and trucks to dirty them up.
The metal wheels I’m using on the freight that stays outside are Bachmanns. I wonder if they will rust a bit? I suppse it is OK if they do as long as the axles in the journals don’t so they keep rolling smoothly. I will have to make sure they are greased.

#18

Todd, everything goes better with a little lubrication. :wink:

#19

Todd Haskins said:

I have a string of coal hoppers that I have painted most of the wheels and trucks to dirty them up.
The metal wheels I’m using on the freight that stays outside are Bachmanns. I wonder if they will rust a bit? I suppse it is OK if they do as long as the axles in the journals don’t so they keep rolling smoothly. I will have to make sure they are greased.

Todd,

Bachmann metal wheels are non-ferris metal (most likely a zinc alloy). They do not rust. The axles will. I have 7 cars I leave out all the time with Bachmann metal wheels. Two years, no rust on wheels.

#20

Joe: I think “ferris wheels” are big and round and found at county fairs :wink:

ferrous …

David, it seems that early AML wheels were some sort of cast pot metal, thus a whitish corrosion… the later ones seem to be sintered steel and rust…

Greg