I need YOUR advice on wheelset purchase

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


CoolRuehle

CoolRuehle

Member
I am a member of a local HO model railroad club and they have a modular layout as well as a permanent that is under construction. All track is code 100.

My home layout is mostly code 83, with 70 on some industrial spurs. I have a mix of Walthers slag, hot metal, and coke cars, as well as Athearn bluebox tank cars, and offset coal hoppers.

From my research, there are basically three different types of wheelsets in HO. We have code 110, code 88, and then Proto 87 to choose from.

In all, I need about 150 wheelsets as most of my rolling stock have plastic (shudder) wheelsets. I do not like the look of the code 110 wheels, the treads are just too wide to my eye. The code 88 look right, the Proto 87 look to skinny to my eye. I just want something that runs great and looks semi-scale. The 88s look like they will work for me.

I am sure the 88s will run on my home layout. I am careful about my trackwork. At the club, the permanent portion of the layout is similar to mine at home. It's the modular that worries me. It's not a high quality setup because of the difference between each modeler's skill levels, and the fact that it's packed up and run all over the place many times a year.

So my questions are these:

1. Will the 88 wheel sets work on code 100 track that has not been laid with the best of care?

2. Will a Kadee code 88 wheelset fit both the Walthers and Athearn trucks (width)?

TIA!

--Jon
 
Yes the wheels will work fine. I usually get Intermountain Semi Scale wheelsets in the 28",33",36" and 38" sizes for various cars. They will work fine on most track work but some switches might allow the wheel to drop into the frog. Forget about the P87 size wheels as they don’t work well with regular switches even though they do look good. Also axle length will come into play on some cars which is when REBOXX wheels come into play as they make different axle lengths. Intermountain wheels will work fine with Athearn, Walthers, and Intermountain trucks but others like the Atlas 70 ton truck that uses 33" wheels require a shorter axle.
 
I would get a couple of sets of each and try them on your layout to see which is best before diving into the large purchase. You will probably find that once on the layout the wider wheels will not be noticed. Also you would have less issues with the wider ones, especially around turnout points.
 


I have liked the Proto 2000 wheel sets formerly from Life Like, now from Walthers. I like the shinny tread as I feel it adds a dimension of realism to my cars that no one else seems to offer! When did the standards change from RP-25 to codes. It would appear that the code numbers pertain to the code of the rail?
 
NP2626 said:
I have liked the Proto 2000 wheel sets formerly from Life Like, now from Walthers. I like the shinny tread as I feel it adds a dimension of realism to my cars that no one else seems to offer! When did the standards change from RP-25 to codes. It would appear that the code numbers pertain to the code of the rail?
Click to expand...

The codes for wheels are for the width of the wheel not tracks e.g. 110=0.011", 88= 0.088", etc.
 
O.K., So, now I understand the codes for wheels! (The photo of the three covered hoppers did more to explain the differences than all the reading I did previous!) Having been in this hobby off and on since a kid, I would not consider anything less then code 110 for HO. Oh, I understand the attraction; but, the practicality, as I see it, is the problem. I guess if spending every modeling minute working on and adjusting your trackwork appeals to you, then fine, have-at-er. My layout lives in a pretty climate hostile environment (cold-dry in the winter and cool-high humidity in the summer) and I'm fighting with my trackwork constantly. I guess I would consider Code 88; or, Code 87, if I were in a club that dictated the requirement and all I had to deal with was a couple/three 2 foot by 4 foot modules! Anything more than this and I know I would be pulling my hair out!
 
When I first started to change out my wheelsets, I ran in to problems that really have to do with the length of the axle from point to point. It seems to me that the gauge of the wheels themselves is always on the money regardless of the track rail height.. The point to point however really varies. Atlas sells metal wheelsets that will fall out of the trucks of many manufacturers. I currently need a 1.01 wheel, and again that is from the outside point of the axle. You really have to measure it with a vernier caliper. Purchased individually Proto made a very workable wheelset as does Intermountain.

I wound up becoming very attached to Kadee 500 series Bettendorf Trucks which I have been changing out on all my rolling stock. I am not a rivet counter. Derailments are becoming a thing of the past using high quality trucks and wheels.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top