Exactrail metal wheelsets?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m trying to upgrade a chunc of my car fleet with metal wheelsets. I’m curious if any has bought the packs of exactrail’s seperate wheelsets.

If so, how long are the axles compared to IM, P2K, and Branchline? Or how well do they work in an Athearn or MDC truck? Do they rock from side to side like IM’s?

I ask because the IMs are too short for athearn trucks, P2K’s are too expensive now that walther’s has taken over, and branchlines are out of production. Exactrail happens to be the only thing that’s available in a bulk pak.

2

I believe they are the same as IM’s in HO scale. Is changing the whole truck an option?

3

I’ve been chipping away at replacing all of the incorrect 33" wheels in my fleet with the correct 36" (grain hoppers, coal hoppers, some tank cars, Airslides, etc.) using the Walthers P2K. They’ve been on-sale lately at just under ten bucks for 12 sets (three cars). Still a bit pricey, but easier to swallow a few sets here and a few sets there.

As a “bonus,” I now have one gondola load of scrapped-out wheels, and another one starting.

Chris

4

P2K wheels aren;t that expensive if you buy them fromt he right palce. Still double what they were before Walthers, but $6.99 from MB Klein - back in the day they were $3.99 but add the Walthers markup and there you be. Still beats the $11.98 retail price, and most shops they woudl still be over $9 with discounts. Can;t be Klein for serivce and selection, and most often price - when watchign somethign on eBay I ALWAYS check to see if it’s something I can get from Klein, often it’s cheaper!

Sorry, sounds like a commercial, I have no connection to the company other than being a multiple time repeat satisfied customer.

The P2K wheels fit perfectly in Athearn and Accurail trucks.

–Randy

5

I believe the IM, P2K, and Exact Rail wheels are comparable. If its in gauge and metal, how much substantive, empirical difference can there be between the brands? Go with the most attractive price.

6

Thank’s for the heads up on MB klien’s. At that price the P2K wheels end up being cheaper than the ER ones. Now to count my cars that need them…

7

Packer,

I have put hundred’s of I-M wheel sets(both 36" & 33") in Athearn ‘Blue Box’ freight cars. Here is an example of a $3 swap meet car I picked up Saturday:

I removed the trucks and throw out the plastic wheel sets and the X2F couplers. Then
I did the following:

  • Ream out the journals with a Micro-Mark ‘tool’
  • Drill out the coupler pocket with a #50 drill bit
  • Install Kadee 148 ‘whisker’ couplers, and use the original metal coupler cover with a #2 self tapping screw
  • Install a ‘red’ .015 Kadee washer on the bolster and mount the ‘reamed’ trucks with the original 2-56 screws provided by Athearn
  • Install I-M 36" metal wheels
  • Add weight to get the car up to between 4.75 and 4.9 oz(NMRA suggested weight)

The I-M wheels fit ‘perfect’ in the truck side frames and roll quite well - there is a little side play, but no worse than my $30+ P2K/I-M/Exactrail cars…

Jim