Metal Wheelsets for Athearn wellcar kits

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve been building up an inexpensive well-car consist, particularly for taking for modular train meets. Thus, I’ve built a number of Athearn kits, such as:

athearn 5071 Gunderson husky stack ARZC no.100018
athearn 5903 Gunderson husky stack Greenbrier Leasing

I always replace the wheelsets with metal wheels, as I’ve been fairly satisfied with Intermountain wheelsets for most purposes, especially since I’ve generally been able to get inexpensive bulk sets.

However, some running problems (some derailing, and some tilting of the cars themselves) led to a discussion with another 4D PNR Modular SIG member this past weekend at the TTMT show. He mentioned that he had noticed that while the Intermountain wheelsets seem to fix well on most cars, that they didn’t fit well on the Athearn well cars- perhaps something about different trucks? Unfortunately, if I even have my original wheelsets, they are well-mixed in with other plastic/composite wheelsets, and I wouldn’t be able to identify which came from the well cars, and which from other kits (Athearn, Accurail, or other non-metal).

So, to the questions:

  • Has anyone else had good luck using the Intermountain wheelsets in Athearn well cars?
  • If not, what wheelsets do you use? We discussed Reboxx and NWSL as alternates, but not specific part numbers.
  • If you still have the original Athearn wheelsets in your well cars, could anyone provide a length of the OEM plastic/metal wheelsets?
2

Brian,

I have 9 or 10 of those kits that are still unbuilt up in my train room. I’ll check after dinner with my dial caliper and give you the overall axle length and the wheel diameter.

Don Z.

3

I thought I read somewhere that those cars have 28" wheels. (I might be wrong)

4

The end units run 33" wheels and the intermediate (articulated) trucks run 38" on the prototype…

Don Z.

5

Brian,

I just finished measuring several wheels and axles from set #5916. The end trucks are using 33" wheels and the intermediate trucks are fitted with 36" wheels. The axle lengths varied from 1.021 to 1.025" long.

Don Z.

6

Like I said, I might be wrong…[D)][:I]

7

No worries…Athearn was also wrong. On their newer RTR well cars, they got it right!

Don Z.

8

SOUNDS LIKE you problems are caused by the sideframes or bolsters, not wheels.

RR Prototypes may have used multiple sized wheels, bur I’ll bet Athearn didn’t - could be your problem. try all 33" or same sized wheels.

Some Athearn trucks required NEM axles. IM’s are NMRA.

9

Don,

I’ll have to disagree with you on this point. If you re-read my earlier post, I measured several of the trucks to find the diameter of the wheels. Athearn used 33" and 36" wheels in this kit. The part number for the truck and 33" wheel is 90399 and the part number for the truck and 36" wheel is 90401. This information was taken from the parts list included with the kit.

Don Z.

10

Well, I would interpret it as somewhat of a “six of one, half a dozen of the other”. Yeah, if the sideframes fit better, I wouldn’t have the problem. OTOH, why have different length axles in the first place (at least, within HO Standard gauge). I think that I replaced “like with like”, so I’ve (hopefully) got 33" wheels and 36" wheels, as appropriate.

Thanks, Don. I’m also thankful for the thread in the General topic referring to missing notifications- I hadn’t received any emails saying anyone commented.

Well, looks like I can do my part for the economy, once the rebate check arrives- NWSL is all made in America, right? [^]