switching wheel sets trucks etc

[steez]

I'm running atlas code 55 and getting some spike rub on some rolling stock.
Is there a site or guide on switching to low profile wheels or total truck switch outs? I've never changed out wheels or trucks and I don't want to break something by accident. The wheels that rub are all Atlas stock.
Thanks in advance. And yes I'm a de-mothballed newbie!

 

[avarua]

I've had the same issue with code 55. I've been slowly changing out the stock trucks with Micro-Trains #1035-1 trucks - they have low profile wheels that eliminate the rubbing. Not sure if you can just get the wheels or if you have to buy the whole assembly.

 

[nof]

I have the same problem with some cars and even a couple of diesels. The problem is as you have mentioned the rail spikes. Unfortunately my Atlas turnouts have frogs that are to ground which makes the cars and locomotives to jump a little when passing.

I think a better solution in the long run is to avoid the Atlas code 55 and choose rails and turnouts that perform better. I think it's wrong to first buy a new car and then buy new wheels or trucks to it. With a lot of cars that will probably me more costly then choosing a better rail from the beginning.

Question is what rail and turnouts? I plan to buy Micro Engineering rail and build my turnouts with Fast Tracks jigs. The turnouts will work. Do anyone have experience from Micro Engineering code 55?

 

[WCWBrassHat]

Almost all engines and rolling stock made in the last 5 or 10 years have low profile wheels except for Micro Trains who continue to use the deep flanges.

The cheapest replacement wheelsets I've found are from Atlas. They are molded in brown plastic. There are 100 wheelsets to the package which is about $12 last time I bought them. The drawback is a lot of older Atlas trucks are too wide for these new wheelsets.

I switched to the Atlas Code 55 track several years ago. It is a lot better than .any of the old code 80 Atlas or Peco track. Other than having to replace all of the wheel sets on my older cars and loosing the ability to run old and worn out engines I have no regrets.

If the flanges hit on the Atlas code 55 track, they will more than likely hit on the Micro Engineering code 55 track as well.

Glenn

 

[phil]

i love pico code 55 track but had to rip out almost 200 feet of it after i put it down. i have over 140 rolling stock and 26 engines and most my engines (especially the brass ones) dont like it. went back to code 80. i do run a small amount of code 55 for a trolley in town. but only use peco switches they are the best i can find in n-scale.

 

[Soo]

They are companies out there that offer replacement wheelsets. Such as, Intermountain, Fox valley models, atlas, Mirco trains.

Yes it is true that you can not run the older ( legacy) rolling stock on the Atlas cd55. In my opinion that is not the tracks fault,, just things change and get better, or some peoples opinions they get worse... Cd55 is the way to go in my mind,, looks better, ,, and that means alot to me.

Trainworx is a company that offers a turn down service for locomotives that have wheelsets with the large flange,,, It also can be done with a file and a careful touch.

You can also look on ebay ,, from time to time there is a seller that sells MT lo profile wheelsets in bulk. But those are just for the micro trains trucks.

When ever I buy a new piece of rolling stock, is convert to lo pro,, then what ever else it needs. Then I enter the item in Excel spread sheet, in order to keep track for inventory and insurance.

Good luck.

Adios Wyatt