Steel wheels in HO scale. What are the pros and cons?

[santafewillie]

Do they help in any way to keep the rails clean longer?

One of the best ways to keep track clean is regular running. I also use Woodland Scenics Dust Monkeys on all of my cabooses. They can be used on any freight cars. My layout does not get a lot of dust to begin with, so it is easier to maintain.

Any recommendations for what to buy for Athearn blue box?

I use the Kadee 520's on all Athearn Blue Box cars. Intermountains also work.

I went out and checked a few cars and wheelsets. This is what I have.
Kadee - plastic axles - 1.015" long
Intermountain - metal axles - 1.00" long
Atlas - plastic axles - 1.025" long
Walther's Proto - plastic axles - 1.00" long

As I posted, Athearn Blue Box uses either Kadee or Intermountain. Athearn RTR has a different truck and the axles for them are just 0.75" long with plastic axles.
Here's an example of the shiny Walther's wheelsets that I referred to in my earlier post.

Compared to a blackened wheelset in an Athearn RTR car.

Regardless of what cars I use, I still use the truck tuner on all out of the box kits and cars.

 

[KriegslokBR52]

What no one mentioned, if you're putting a lot of miles on your cars with plastic wheels, the flanges will wear out to the point of causing derailments. Some of the second hand cars i bought on train shows had to have their plastic wheels replaced just for that reason.

 

[Old 97]

Do they help in any way to keep the rails clean longer?

They do in one-to-one scale, so I imagine it'll work in your scale.

 

[Old 97]

Willie, I never knew about the dust monkies.
Dust Bunnies are commonplace around here, but not dust monkies.

 

[PMW]

I use metal wheels for all of the reasons mentioned but to play Devil's advocate, the only con I can think of is that a metal wheel, which touches both the stock and point rail of some turnouts will cause a short. Of course if the turnouts and wheel sets are in gauge you're good

 

[PMW]

Willie, I never knew about the dust monkies.
Dust Bunnies are commonplace around here, but not dust monkies.

Yup, Dust Monkies are not indigenous to my neck of the woods either. Dust Bunnies abound

 

[santafewillie]

Willie, I never knew about the dust monkies.
Dust Bunnies are commonplace around here, but not dust monkies.

Here are a few of my cabooses with the Dust Monkey's installed.

 

[zzr1200guy]

Pros of metal wheels
They keep track cleaner
They add weight to the car
They have less roll resistance
They look better (my opinion)

Cons of metal wheels.
Cost. On average 4dollars per car.
You kinda need to weather them a little.

 

[Mopac Junkie]

i have a bunch of Athearn blue box rolling stock. Athearn shows at least four different options. does anyone know which fit these cars best?

 

[riogrande5761]

Late to this party. KD wheels were mentioned. They aren't solid metal - they are sintered and will collect dirt faster than solid metal wheels. I've been using Intermountain wheels, and in some cases Walthers and also Exactrail which is now ScaleTrains.

 

[kjd]

Tangent is another source for metal wheels.

None are actually steel, they are usually plated brass, nickel silver or sintered. I’ve had the plating wear off and the tread goes from shiny to gold color. I prefer solid nickel silver. I think stainless steel would be a good material, inexpensive (relative to brass or nickel silver) and would stay shiny. It is harder to machine though so material savings might be offset with machining costs.

 

[scott7891]

i have a bunch of Athearn blue box rolling stock. Athearn shows at least four different options. does anyone know which fit these cars best?

I have used Intermountain, Walthers, Tangent, and Bachmann on Athearn Blue Boxes. Athearn trucks are pretty forgiving they all seem to work.

Out of those 4 going from most universal, best fitting to least, on different types of trucks out there from various manufacturers I would rate 1) Intermountain 2) Tangent 3) Bachmann 4) Walthers.