Was looking through some old threads last night and found many modelers singing praise to metal wheels. So this morning off I go to the LHS and purchase a couple of packs of Inter Mountain wheels and scurried home with my new treasure.
Now before I go further, I’m new to much of this but had noticed early on that the plastic sets that came with the cars generally spun quite freely using a finger. I was duly impressed. And many of the cars rolled freely down the track by themselves when given a shove.
So having put several sets onto my rolling stock decide for a test run. To my shock [:0] my poor old diesel found itself spining wheels as it struggled to get around the layout.
Well I put some plastic ones back on and intend to run the couple of cars with the metal wheels and see if they “break in”.
All the trucks are Micro-Train and the wheel sets are 33". The cars that had the plastic put back on run just as good as before, so the trucks are in good shape.
So is this a classic case of “If it works, don’t fix it” [xx(] or could I be missing something here? I would really like to use the metal wheels [:(].
TIA
Jim
I am not familar with Intermountain metal wheels.
Were the wheels marketed as replacement wheels for MicroTrains trucks? They are probably not compatible.
The problem is probably that the axle is too long for the truck. When I played around with aftermarket low profile wheels (many years ago), they were made in at least three different axle lengths to fit different brand’s of trucks.
There is also the possibility that the tip of the axle is a different shape than the “cone’” in the truck side frame.
Not all metal wheelsets use the same axle length. I don’t know if there is an equivalent of the device Micro-Mark sells to ream out axle bearings for N scale, but that would be the best bet.
DSchmitt’s idea has merit too–make sure that both the old axles and the new axles are the same shape! If one is a cone and the other is a flat cylinder, that’s the problem–you won’t be able to use that axle on those trucks.
i say bah humbug to metal wheels FOR N. i swear by microtrains trucks for N scale. they roll the best, and farthest i think. all the cars on the N “empire” we have switched to microtrains trucks and have noticed we can pull more cars useing them. BIG differance on grades too!
I’ve even had issues swapping plastic wheel sets with other plastic wheel sets - so there is a difference between manufactures (sometimes so with the same manufacturer). It’s been trial and error for the few that I’ve had to replace.
I too am staying with plastic. Never really had any issues with them and I have other things to spend my limited budget on.
Thanks for the replies. The plastic is back on for the time being.
Now there is something else, but that is another thread…
Jim
I know Atlas sells separate metal wheels for Micro Train replacements. I believe the axle is slightly shorter.
One trick if they’re just a tad too long - fit the axle, then squeeze the bearings together while rotating the axle by hand. This will reshape the bearing surfaces and will often turn a car that would previously barely move on a grade into a free-running pice of equipment - might be worth a try, it’s worked for me in the past!
Intermountain does not make a replacement metal wheelset for Micro Trains trucks to my knowledge (yes, the Atlas and MT trucks use different axels). Atlas makes 33" replacement wheels that work wonderfully however. Just be sure to pick up the sets that are made for MT trucks or you will have the same problem… [;)]
On a side note, my guess is that once you change over several cars to metal wheels you will be sold on the concept. I have converted my entire fleet over to metal at this point and have never looked back. Although it’s a pricey proposition depending upon how many cars you need to convert, the time saved in cleaning chores alone is worth the expense in my book. You will probably also notice better pulling characteristics and less derailing due to the lower center of gravity the metal wheels provide.
Oh yeah, and I like the “clickety-clack” sound… [:D]
Good enough! Will return the InterMountain wells for the Atlas ones. The local LHS is owned/operated by a husband and wife. The husband is very well versed in MR while his wife, though knowledgable, doesn’t come close to his experience. This will be the second time I bring something back that was close, but no cigar.
Thanks all!
Jim