I’m modeling the early 1960’s and I want to replace the plastic wheelsets on my freight cars with metal ones. My question is were 33" or 36" inch wheels more common at that time or is it a matter of how much weight the car is carrying (70 ton/100 ton trucks…) ? Thanks to everyone for your help.
Since you’re replacing existing wheelsets, most of them will be 33 inch. You should be able to tell by holding a metal wheel up to the old plastic ones if it requires a 36 inch wheel because they will be quite different in size.
Generally - and there are exceptions - frieght cars up to 70 ton capacity use 33" wheels, up to 100 ton: 36" and up to 125 ton 38".
If a model has Kadee #5 couplers, at the correct hieght, and 33" wheels, and you change to 36" wheels, you will need to adjust the coupler hieght of switch to #42 couplers.
If a model has Kadee #5 couplers, at the correct hieght, and 36" wheels, and you change to 33" wheels, you will need to adjust the coupler hieght of switch to #47 couplers.
In order to save yourself the above problem just use the 33" wheels.You won’t be able to tell the difference under normal operational viewing and you can use #5s on your freight cars and engines.I know that’s old fashion thinking but,it works.
I’ve used 33" or 36" wheels whichever the prototype has. No problems with coupler height that a shim washer or two doesn’t take care of.
To me the difference is quite noticeable, the metal wheels and differing wheel sizes give my models just a little more of the “Big Time Railroading” feel.
Mark Gosdin