I have several Bachmann freight cars that need the plastic wheels replaced with metal ones. What wheel sets or complete truck assy. will fit them and where can I find them. I tried a search at Walthers and came up with some results but I am not sure what will fit the cars.
Any help would be appriciated, Thanks. Mike
Mike,
Proto 2000, Kadee and Intermountain make replacement wheel sets/trucks. I use the Proto 2000 wheel sets. But any one of them should work well for you.
Tom
As mentioned Kadee Intermountain Reboxx and others make replacement wheels. Use the ones of your choice just be sure the wheels roll freely in the truck frame and are the correct diameter.
The best bet would be to replace the trucks with Kadee
Is this for HO or N, Mike? Since you’re a dual-gauge modeller, I’ve got to ask. (Does Bachmann even make anything for N? Since I’m a single-gauge modeller, I’ve got to ask that, too. Clueless. That’s me.)
If you’re doing a lot of these, think about the Micro-Mark tool for honing out the conical “bearings” in the trucks. I’ve got to get one of those myself, one of these days.
This is in HO, I’m sorry, I should have mentioned that.
Mr.B, I do have some N scale rolling stock and a couple of locos. They are like the HO stuff but smaller, and run real good.
Jeffrey, what is the difference in the ribbed back and the flat back with the exception of the looks?
Thanks for the help. Mike
Mike,
Ribbed back wheels were used on rolling stock prior to 1937(?) to keep the brakes shoes cool during braking. Flat wheels are newer and eventually replaced the ribbed back wheels after that date.
Tom
Nobody’s asked, but are the trucks the talgo type or the regular type? IOW, is the coupler mounted on the body of the freight car or to the truck? I only ask this question since I’m curious if the wheel suggestions given would be the same for either truck type.
jasper, the couplers are mounted to the car body, not to the truck. Mike
Ribbed back wheels were gradually phased out after World War 2. Most cars built since then have flat back wheels. I still see some ribbed back wheels now and then. The old cast ribbed back wheels were outlawed for use in interchange service in 1958 because they tend to break or fracture. Ribbed back wheels that were not cast can still be found in service today on some local services but are few and far between.
Get yourself one of those truck tuner tools too.
truck tuner tools?
My LHS swears by the Intermountain wheels and says that they are better than the Proto wheels. The Intermountain wheels are about twice the price!
Is there really a difference?
If you’re HO and sideframes are NMRA (one never knows with Chinese supplied items) use InterMountain, Jay Bee, or NWSL. If not, use JB-‘NEM’, or replace the entire truck with KATO.
IM’s are silver. JB 's are blackened. Heavier tracks better (unsprung weight). Be sure to match size. Commercial models may,or may not be using prototypical sizes (cost).
KADEE wheels have plastic axles (for metal sideframes). PROTO wheels have plastic applied to the ends. NWSL and JB are ‘Machined’ per NMRA.
PROTO wheels are popular because they are cheaper. I had QC problems (wobble) with mine - so I don’t use. Others do. Prototype cars ‘sway’, not wobble.
The Intermountain wheels have metal axles with a fine needle point. The Proto wheels have plastic axles, and plastic ends. I feel the IM wheels are much better. I usually buy the IM wheels in bulk, 100 wheelsets for $60. Usually cars equipped with the IM wheels can help you find the low spots in your trackwork.[;)] IM also makes ball bearing wheelsets, which are very spendy. The wheels are mounted on small sealed ball bearings. I’ve heard of these being used in passenger cars with metal sideframes and such.
I swear by Intermountain wheels. Yes they are a tad pricey, but they are all metal and roll very nicely.
Nick
