Plastic wheel vs metal wheels

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

any thoughts on which is better? N scale…just wondering which way to go…

2

No matter the scale…metal wheels hands down. They don’t dirty the track like plastic does. And the side benefit is that they make a lovely klickity klack sound when they go over track joins.

Trevor

3

Definitely metal, much smoother rolling, especially the ones with metal axles too, and like was said earlier, they don’t dirty the track as much.

Good luck to you if you decide to convert to metals, I did it in HO, it’s not too bad.

Greg

4

I think this subject has come up before. [:)] Formalities aside, I would most definately go with metal wheels. As trevorG and trainwreck100 have already mentioned, metal wheels are better for many different reasons:

  1. They don’t gunk up the track as they wear over time. (Like plastic wheels.)

  2. They look more realistic (if you have black metal wheels, paint the inside of the
    flanges, the axles, and the wheel surface silver for a used look. If you have silver
    -colored wheels, paint everything but the inside flanges, axles, and the wheel
    surfaces black.)

  3. They produce that realistic (and awesome [:D] ) clickity-clack sound like the real
    thing.

  4. If you want to add lighting, sound, or functions to your rolling stock or passenger
    cars, you have to have metal wheels for electrical pickup.

Hope this helps.

-Brandon

5

I have used metal wheels for a few years now. I have only had to clean my track twice. but I also regulary ran my layout. since my layout has been out of service for about a year i’m probably gonna have to clean track again. searches for bright boy

6

Benefit of metal wheelsets: Better tracking.

#1 They cost more so are ‘generally’ in gauge. (notice “generally”).
#2 Lowers the center of gravity with ‘unsprung’ weight (vs. sprung).

These add up to better tracking, therefor the more expensive and heavier - the better.
Rolling qualities are more dependent on the friction from the side frames.

7

I’m in HO not N, but I think this would apply to any scale–metal wheels are more free-rolling, and a freer rolling car means you can add more cars than you’d normally think of. I’m converting all of my cars to metal wheels, and I’m amazed at the greater amount of cars any of my locomotives can pull–even up a grade–as opposed to plastic wheels, which tend to ‘grip’ the rail as they roll over it.
And the other plusses–cleaner track niftier ‘sound’ still apply.
Go for it.
Tom [:P]

8

One more reason that metal wheels are superior, is that plastic becomes electrically charged in low humidity conditions. Have you ever rubbed a plastic comb through your hair ( assuming you have hair, LOL , sorry Terry ) and then see how it attracts items of the opposite charge, like paper, hair, etc. ? Or, go near a cats nose or ears and actually see and hear the 'snap" as the charge jumps from + to - ?
Now, can you just imagine what this does on your layout as plastic wheels roll along on a very dry day, picking up all sorts of dust, etc. off your tracks or nearby refuse?

METAL WHEELS ALL THE WAY< END OF STORY

9

metal,