metal wheelsets

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I hope this has not been covered too many times and its not so much a brand preference question. HO scale BTW

What metal wheelset brands have metal axles?

I’m trying to light some passenger cars and the kits are not quite right for my old Heavyweights. This light kits (Walthers) come with new two axle metal trucks to replace my three axle plastic ones, this is a kitbash project, using what I have to make what I don’t have.

I have no problem getting the conductors from the light bar in the car to the trucks, and I have “brushes” to contact the axles, and I’m fixing to order metal wheel sets for the cars, but I think I need metal axles on the wheel sets.

I do understand the idea of the insulated wheel on the axle and placing them all the same in a truck and oppisite on the car, i.e. on the right at the front and left at the back. (all of that thanks to you folks.)

thanks for your help.

Roypea

2

Intermountain wheel sets have metal axles, im not sure if Kadees do or not, i really only buy the intermountains.

3

Intermountain has 36" metal wheelsets with metal axles. They also have ‘roller bearing’ wheelsets that are great for those really heavy older passenger cars!

Here is the URL with the listing of what is available:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=CPLRS+TRKS&scale=H&manu=intermountain&item=&keywords=wheel&instock=Q&split=30&Submit=Search

If you need ‘exact’ axle length, Reboxx sells wheelsets for specific applications:

http://www.reboxx.com/wheelsets.htm

Jim Bernier

4

thanks for the repsonse, limited though it may be, looks like IM may do the trick, as I recall they are in the neighborhood of 1.013 to 1.015 which is in my range as long as the axles are metal, non-maginetic,

what about JayBee’s? anybody know on thier axles?

Roypea

5

IHC sells lighting kits for their cars. Comes with the trucks,axles,wheels and pickups. Don’t know what quality they are.

There’s kits that use an on board battery pack and a micro switch so you don’t have to mess with the wheels. These eliminate flicker too.

6

I use intermountain wheel sets. I got a set of 100 from cherry creek hobbies just the other day…they are nice wheel sets, all polished brass with metal axles…chuck

7

Most all. - Exceptions: Kadee, Walthers (passenger) with plastic axles.

May I recommend IHC’s metal trucks?

  1. 36" metal wheels, 2. metal axles, 3. wipers, and 4. 6 wheeled trucks for ‘heavyweight’ cars. 5. They are also superior runners.

All you have to do is run the wires into the car, and you can find them discounted.

I’m not a big fan of IHC’s, but these are not made by IHC and outroll my Central Valley’s. IHC’s lighting kits are typical IHC. (Cheep & inferior to Walthers’).

http://www.ihc-hobby.com/cgi-bin/bsc.cgi?sn=85M3149I40R8709N809871B42136F8&id=4256