Which metal wheelsets to use?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve always used the Kadee #523 33’ ribbed back wheelsets for my HO stuff. How do they compare to some of the other brands of replacement metal wheelsets like Proto, InterMountain, etc? I’ve never gotten any defective Kadee products but don’t know about the others.

Thanks,

Roger Huber

2

Probably 90% of the wheels I’ve replaced I replaced with Proto’s. You get the odd one that needs to be adjusted but I get that same problem with every Intermountain car I’ve bought. I wouldn’t call them defective though.

3

I have switched everything that I build or upgrade to the Proto B1 trucks.So far not one problem and they are not bank breakers.Walthers runs sales on them a couple of times a year.When you balance performance and cost these seem to be a good answer.

4

I use Intermountain wheels. There is no particular reason. They are the first ones I tried when I had to replace some poor quality original equipment plastic, and they have worked well for me so I never felt the need to try anything else.

5

I personally use the proto wheels. The only thing I don’t like about the Kadee’s is the black coating on them. I tends to come off and dirty the track.

6

Intermountain metal wheels.

7

I have used Proto 2000, Intermountain, JayBee and Bachmann metal wheels. The only thing to remember if you need power pickup is that the Proto wheels have plastic axles; the other 3 have metal axles so it’s easier to install wipers. Lately I have been using Bachmann; they are a bit cheaper than the other metal axle brands.

8

Been using intermountain just because that’s what the LHS carries. I have no complaints.

Chris

9

Been using Kadee wheelsets since the 1960’s and have never had any complaints with them. I’ve tried some of the others just as I did some of the “knock off” knuckle couplers when they first came out.

Went back to the Kadee wheelsets and true Kadee couplers within months and haven’t changed since, good quailty is hard to beat let alone match.

I have a small box of other brands of wheelsets and couplers somewhere in my parts inventory, maybe someday I’ll be able to use them for “scenery”.

Mark

10

I’ve been using Intermountain wheelsets for some time now. I’ve also used Jaybee wheelsets. Both have worked well. PW