Photos of the new MT 33 and 36 inch wheels!

[altohorn25]

Bob,

One of the wheels is not insulated properly.  Out of the several hundred wheel sets I've put on cars, I've had 1 or 2 do this.  One of them just had some excess metal that was shorting the wheel out that I was able to scrape off; the other was a lost cause.

Nate Pierce

[Sokramiketes]

I've had the privilege of testing them as well a few months ago.  These MTL wheels are superior to all current MTL wheels, both in looks and performance.  The side-to-side tolerance is much tighter, no more side-to-side sliding.  Because of this, they noticeably roll better than all current MTL wheels.  It is my understanding that this new design will be the wheels utilized going forward.

Well, either the side-to-side was modified after you got your test samples, or Tom's track is way out of gauge.  Look at how the lower wheel in his photo is almost falling between the rails!  



I declined the test samples, so am just judging based on the photos.

[bbussey]

You're right Mike.  I should have clarified - I tested the 36" wheels.  They were in the process of doing first shots on the 33" wheel when I submitted my report to them, so it's possible the wheel in Tom's photo is an early shot.  I'm pretty sure the tolerances of the final 33" wheel are going to duplicate those of the 36" wheel, but we can ask Joe for confirmation.

FYI - the axle lengths of the 36" do match the current 33" wheels, so they operate in all of the current freight trucks.  I was requested to perform testing revolving around performance and compatibility issues and provide an analysis based on the results.

[tom mann]

I'll go check to see if this wheel is different from the rest.

[DKS]

I'll go check to see if this wheel is different from the rest.

I have a feeling they're the same. Looking at the photo carefully, it seems to me the first set of wheels are shifted all the way left/back on the track, while the rest of the wheels are all set right/forward on the track. That they can shift so much seems odd; maybe something to do with the ME flex?

[tom mann]

ME flex?

I'll check that too - this is ME code 40, which used the ME code 55 tie mold.

[wazzou]

The gauge just looks narrow to me, comparing the 33" axle set to the low-pro.

[DKS]

ME flex?

I'll check that too - this is ME code 40, which used the ME code 55 tie mold.

That may be useful information as well. I have a feeling ME 40 is a bit on the wide side.

[Sokramiketes]

I took an NMRA gauge to a sample 33" wheel at the show yesterday, and it was in gauge at the flanges.  It also had the standard side-to-side slop sitting between the rails.  I suspect Tom's track is a little wide too though.

Did I misunderstand you Bryan?  Is it tighter in the sideframes or something?  Or is the 36" wheelset oversize gauge?

[bbussey]

Mike,

I didn't think to measure the flange dimensions, I only verified the wheel diameter.  I was going by visual observation when I put the new wheelsets in truck frames and then on the track.  I tested on Code 60 True Track and Code 55.  I tested with trucks installed on Evens hoppers, 56' general tanks and centerflows, and on the Exact-Rail boxcar, as well as testing the trucks by themselves.  When checking the trucks individually, pushing them through rerailers, turnouts, etcetera, I found that the side-to-side slop was noticeably less than with the current wheelsets, and the axle lengths I found to be the same.  I also found that the 36"-equipped cars did not rock or jiggle while going through the plastic guardrails on the True-Track turnouts as I've found many MTL 33" wheels do.  They also traveled over imperfect rail joints more smoothly than the 33" wheels.  When the RPO was released, I tested that as well and found it to perform as the cars in the earlier test had.  I had assumed all of this was attributed to the flanges, but I admit I can't support that with any recorded data.

Also, I was asked to evaluate only the 36" wheels, not the new 33", so I never had the opportunity to compare the two to each other.

[railspike55]

I wonder why my post was updated so late.....oops  my clock in pc  is out of wack.

Sorry for repeating this question.

removed!





Ron N.

[DKS]

Tom are the 33's out of gage?  Wheel is sitting on its edge of its tread.

The space seems rather large compared to the other wheels.  

Ron, scroll up to message #16, we're already looking into this.

[tom mann]

I looked into it this morning.  It is the track.  I'll get new photos on Atlas code 55 track later on.

[bigford]

is there a wheel set for auto racks &  double stacks?
tom that track work looks great!!!!

[DKS]

I looked into it this morning.  It is the track.  I'll get new photos on Atlas code 55 track later on.

Not surprised. I always thought ME 40 ran a bit wide.