Replacing locomotive wheels

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi all, would like some help with selecting replacement wheels for a 4-6-0 roundhouse locomotive kit. I would like to change the brass wheelsets for the nickle silver? wheelsets. The kit is an ho scale. Thanks

2

I’d contact Athearn (they own Roundhouse now) and ask them if there are parts available.

3

The only source of replacement drivers for steam locomotives of which I’m aware is Greenway. Click on “Greenway Brass”, then “Locomotive Drivers” and scroll down just a bit. The drivers are very nice quality and the prices reflect that. All have 3mm diameter axles running in round brass bearings. The MDC locomotives which I had didn’t have separate bearings, and I believe they used a 1/8" diameter axle, so the Greenway wheelsets would not have been easily useable.
I did use Greenway wheelsets to replace the drivers on a friend’s brass Mogul, but had to use the loco’s original square bearings as the round ones from Greenway wouldn’t fit in the slots milled in the loco’s frame. That involved, of course, disassembling both the original and replacement wheelsets.

You could try contacting Horizon Hobbies (the current owner of MDC) and see if the wheelsets which they now use (plated brass, I believe) will fit your loco and if it’s possible for you to purchase a set.

If you’re seeking to improve current collection, you could add track pick-up sliders, available from Tomar, and/or install wipers on all drivers and tender wheels. The more areas of current collection, the more reliable the operation.

Here’s an old John English Pacific fitted with Tomar sliders:

[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/doctorwayne/locomotives/Latestprotofoe-toes00

4

Another upgrade is to replace the leading / trailing wheel sets with NWSL

Wayne, that’s a nice job of showing how to add pickups to the opposite side of an old steamer. [tup]

5

NWSL is your best bet, if you need assistance email Dave with what you have, he is a great help with things like this.

6

Well thanks to all for the replies, and I will take into consideration all the help before I attempt this kit.