Metal Wheelsets

[sushob]

I'd like to replace the plastic wheels on some of my models (HO frieght cars) with metal wheelsets. What manufacturer and/or model do you recommend? Thanks in advance!

 

[SDP45]

I always had great success with Kadee. Wished at the time they were cheaper, though.

 

[abcraghead]

Major manufacturers include:

Kadee
Intermountain
Proto 2000
Atlas
JayBee

I've used Kadee, P2k, and Atlas before. All are decent. The flanges on the Atlas wheels sometimes are a bit too shallow for shall we say "realistic" trackwork. I've settled on Kadee. Good, solid, reliable, and USA made. No, they're not the cheapest, although theya re only marginally more spendy than P2k at the local hobbyshop.

If you're looking to replace a lot of cars wheelsets, look in the Walthers/Terminal Hobby Shop sale flyers for when they go on sale.

 

[sushob]

Thanks guys! I'm hoping I can get them a little cheaper (I have some connections <insert mafia laugh here>)

 

[ak-milw]

I would also have to vote for Kadee!!

 

[mushroom2]

I use Intermountain, but I would recommend any all metal wheelsets, including a metal axle. The extra mass make a better rolling wheel than a metal wheel on a plastic axle.

 

[kenw]

Mostly I use Intermountain metal wheelsets, although I have a few of almost everyone’s on the layout somewhere. IM pretty much won on cost, I can get them in bulk thru a local dealer.

The Intermountain (IM) sets work well in my stock truck frames (mostly Athearn and MDC/Roundhouse as is. This keeps the costs down, meaning I can just swap the wheels and leave the frames alone until later. Then, if/when I upgrade to sprung truck frames, I buy the trucks with plastic wheels (less $) and add my existing IM metals to them.

Some of my favorites also have Old Pullman frames with IM wheels or OP wheels, they seem fairly interchangeable.

My preferred truck is the old Lindberg/Kilgore sets that you can get from J&B something somewhere out there. Nothing runs better.

 

[HaggisKennedy]

I use mainly P2K, but there's a sprinkling of Intermountain. There's also the odd Reboxx, but that's mainly if the truckframes are too narrow for the formers.....

Kennedy

 

[mushroom2]

Speaking of Reboxx, before you start swapping out wheelsets, get one of the Reboxx reamers to clean out the bearings. Even if you're not planning on swapping wheelsets, get one. It makes quite a difference in even the worst rolling trucks.

 

[grumpybob]

this goes along with the Metal wheels article in the DCC section.

 

[mushroom2]

That's where that was, I couldn't remember where we discussed this before, and I hadn't gotten around to doing a search.

 

[Mountaingoatgreg]

HEY don't forget LBF out of Roseburg Oregon. The wheelsets are already brown and are ALL metal not the crappy metal plastic mix. They are insulated and look like the old Intermountain wheels without the nickle-plating. Wheelsets are 33" and 36" and roll as good or better then anything on the market. I would also recommend getting "THE TOOL" which reams out the journals and makes the wheelsets roll even better.

Be Wise Beware Be Safe
"Mountain Goat" GREG

 

[RCH]

HEY don't forget LBF out of Roseburg Oregon. The wheelsets are already brown and are ALL metal not the crappy metal plastic mix. They are insulated and look like the old Intermountain wheels without the nickle-plating. Wheelsets are 33" and 36" and roll as good or better then anything on the market. I would also recommend getting "THE TOOL" which reams out the journals and makes the wheelsets roll even better.

Be Wise Beware Be Safe
"Mountain Goat" GREG

I heard, and of course this could be from the usual crew of Becker Bashers, that the LBF wheelsets were pretty inconsistent. Of course, none of my LHS stock anything by LBF, so I've never actually seen them. I've always wanted to pick up one of their Trinity hoppers, which even though they're pretty much out of the era I model, I'd love to have for curiosity's sake. They really looked like incredible models when they were released.

 

[Mountaingoatgreg]

Well usually out of a bag of 100 there are usually 103 wheels and about 2 are of the axles or not good. So you get some free scrap details. I have always had great luck with them and usually the problem is they are sold vefore I can get more.

Be Wise Beware Be Safe
"Mountain Goat" Greg

 

[B_Kosanda]

Walthers had a speacial on P2K a couple months ago, so I finished upgrading the rest of my fleet with those. I think they were $5.98 for a package of 12.

Bill

 

[chessie4155]

I would also recommend getting "THE TOOL" which reams out the journals and makes the wheelsets roll even better.

Just wanted to say thanks for posting about this little gizmo. I bought one and its great.This is one tool every model railroader needs on their workbench.
Mark