I have been unable to run my IHC 0-8-0 Shifter engine on the code 83 track/turnouts after converting from code 100.
In some cases the flanges would strike the spike heads but the real problem was in the code 83 turnouts.
I considered several ways to accompli***his task but ending up choosing to use my Dremel Moto-Tool.
Here is how I did it.
I clamped the locomotive upside down in a well padded vise.
I connected a variable DC power source to the engine and selected a mid-range speed.
Using a small, fine grinding tool, about 1/2 inch in diameter and 1/2 inch wide, in the Dremel set at a rather high speed I proceeded as follows:
Making sure the Dremel was rotating in a direction that would ‘help’ the locomotive as opposed to ‘against’ the tire direction, I briefly held the tool against a drive wheel tire flange.
I only apply a light pressure for about 5 seconds before moving on to the next wheel. This was to prevent overheating the tire that could melt the plastic wheel.
I then shut everything down for about 5-10 minutes to insure further cooling. As the rotation of the grinding tool was with the rotation of the wheel there was little load on the motor and or drive train. The tire was barely warm to the touch when I stopped grinding. The tire appeared to be brass so no metal was attracted to the motor magnets.
I repeated the above on the next two tires until I had made one pass on every tire.
This took about 5 passes for each tire until the flange height matched that of another loco that was RP25 compatible.
After I was satisfied that the tire flanges were now at the RP25 height by eyeballing and comparing them to the other loco I then applied power
once again to the locomotive and using a fine file I ‘dressed’ the edge of the flanges.
I then really cleaned the motor gears and was amazed at the lack of brass dust or anything else inside the drive train!