Checking if anyone knows of a website, or manual that provides the specific wheel sizes for freight cars… I.E. if they are 25’s - 33’s or 36’s.
Im specifically looking to upgrade some of my Athearn Blue Box cars and Bowser Covered hoppers to metal wheel sets and need help finding the correct info.
Thanks for your help…
I use proto 33 for my rolling stock.Have no problems except with athearn blue box hoppers.Had to use a truck tuning tool because the wheel sets were’nt running freely enough.Only the hoppers gave any trouble.As for 36,s,they are used mainly for passenger cars
Wheel sizes normally are assigned according to weight - 33" were for 70-ton cars, 36" for 100-ton… and then you have the 28" ones on doublestack articulated well cars.
perisher 's post above has incorrect information.
50 to 70 ton (nominal) freight cars generally have 33" wheels
90 to 110 ton frieght cars generally have 36" wheels
125 ton generally have 38" wheels
some autoracks have 28" wheels.
some well cars have 70 ton trucks (with 33" wheels) at the ends, and 125 ton trucks (with 38" wheels) in the middle. Some may have other combinations too.
Further note; almost all plastic freight cars can be fitted with 33" wheels, some, even those that prototypically should have 36" wheels have no room for any bigger than 33". The Walthers steel coil cars are a prime example.
Another note: there are many different axle lengths out there (check ReBoxx’s website), so measure the axles you remove, and the axles you plan on putting in. If the new ones are longer, a little work with the Tool will usually turn out okay. If the new ones are shorter, you’ll most likely be looking for different ones. A caliper is very handy for this, you need about .001" resolution.
REAL Railroads used different wheel sizes based on weight loading.
98% of our models come with 33" (freight) and 36" (passenger) to simplify costs. Some brands come with 31" for both passenger and freight.
Changing the size may be prototypically correct, but will throw the height and couplers off - thereby opening what’s called a ‘can of worms’.
Too few modelers are willing to pay more to get things like ‘correct’ size wheels. There is no need. Where RR’S go by loading, our model cars are run empty.
Thanks for all the input guys in regards to correct sizes. I think I am on the right track except for a few mistakes.
Mistake #1) I put some Proto 2000 36’ wheels on my Athearn Hvy Duty Flat cars (The ones with 4 trucks) And a few 36’ wheels on some of my Athearn 50 ft Gondolas
I have been putting Proto 2000 33’s on all 25 of my Bowser 70 ton covered hoppers.
What wheel sets would be appropriate for the Bowser 100 Ton 3 bay open hoppers?
Thanks… and any more input would be appreciated.
You apparently haven’t been reading this posting. “What’s appropriate” may not be 'what’s best".
Your batting 1 for 3?