33" versus 36" Wheelsets....

[sizemore]

I'm trying to develop some quick and dirty method for deciding factors on converting wheelsets on my road. I do not have the time to sit and look up every type of car and truck type to determine which wheelset is appropriate. What would be a good cannon for determining which car/truck gets said wheeltype?

Rollerbearing - 36"
Bettendorf/fric bearing - 33"

Caboose - 36"
Passenger Car - 36"

Catch my drift?

The S.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Do you know how to pick out 100T vs 70T cars and their respective trucks?

Given your era, most freight cars would be 70T, I think.

Once you've got that figured out, the rule of thumb is
70T = 33"
100T = 36"

Passenger cars get 36"ers, and cabooses get 33" (they're really light compared to freight cars).

[seusscaboose]

that's pretty much my rule of thumb

i use a macro "passenger vs freight" and "heavy vs light" theory...

i also find myself (lately) going away from the Atlas lo pro's (as a retrofit option) and to the Fox Valley solution (i have done this in the past and gotten away from it b/c of the prohibitive cost) once again.

I just think metal sounds, looks, operates better than plastic (not intended to hijack thread topic).

EP

[sizemore]

The mechanical standard I'm going with is Fox Valley wheelsets with MT trucks and body mount as much as I can on normal cars (anything less than 65'). It looks like I was somewhat in left field, but in the ballpark by the concession stands. I didnt consider weight, I thought it was more along the lines of tread much like a tractor-trailer. As for cost I buy the bulk wheelsets in the larger bulk packs. I kinda think that I am going to have my freight cars for the long haul (a lifetime pretty much) the cost in wheelsets and trucks is ammortized over time via flawless operation.
They sound way better than plastic, keep the rails cleaner, and in the case of FVM/MT combo -they freeroll FOREVER (insert sandlot reference here).

Thanks Guys,
The S.

[Mark5]

Rollerbearing - 36"
Bettendorf/fric bearing - 33"

Caboose - 36"
Passenger Car - 36"

Catch my drift?

The S.

Rollerbearing trucks (in general) can be 36" (100T) or 33" (70T)
Cabooses generally run on 33"

Some useful info here:
http://home.comcast.net/~stalbansrr/ProtoInfo/Trucks/KadeeTrucks.htm

And some "home grown"  info here:
http://jamesriverbranch.net/clinic_2a.htm

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One other thing Tim, the reason why they use larger wheels is that they have a larger contact area with the rail.

Speaking of, I once heard that the truly amazing thing about diesel locomotives is that something like an SD40-2 has to put all of it's tractive effort down in a patch about the size of a dime.

[davefoxx]

One other thing Tim, the reason why they use larger wheels is that they have a larger contact area with the rail.

Speaking of, I once heard that the truly amazing thing about diesel locomotives is that something like an SD40-2 has to put all of it's tractive effort down in a patch about the size of a dime.

Make that twelve dimes.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nope, one dime. Because think about it, the wheels don't deform THAT much when they contact the rail, which means that, essentially, the wheels are touching the rail at a single point.

In order for each wheel to have a dime sized contact point, they'd have to flatten out quite a bit.

[Packer]

One other thing Tim, the reason why they use larger wheels is that they have a larger contact area with the rail.

Speaking of, I once heard that the truly amazing thing about diesel locomotives is that something like an SD40-2 has to put all of it's tractive effort down in a patch about the size of a dime.

Would that be a CR SD40-2 or one of the other ones with HT-C trucks?

[seusscaboose]

I just think metal sounds, looks, operates better than plastic (not intended to hijack thread topic).

EP

i forgot how much better the cars roll with these FVM wheels... another benefit is the increased number of cars that can be pulled b/c of the free-rolling effect.

[wm3798]

Here's my theory...  My layout allows my trains to be roughly 25 to 30 cars long.  My wallet allows me to run what I have, and expensive upgrades are as much a fantasy as waking up next to a super model.  Overcoming whatever rolling quality issues that may exist in a 25 car train is easily done by sticking another engine on the point... sort of the way the Big Boys did it...

While I'm highly visually oriented in my modeling, I have yet to lose sleep over something that I can't see under normal operating conditions.  For photos, I have a few cars tricked out with the expensive stuff.

I do like the added ambiance of clickety clacking metal wheels, but so far that isn't enough for me to part with $60 for a bag o' axles.  (The smaller bags are good for proof of concept, but not economical for converting a fleet now approaching 500 units... )  If it ain't broke, don't fix it...

Lee

[seusscaboose]

Hey Chief StormCloud, you're bringin' me down again  ;D 

[Mr. G]

The last time I saw this topic catch fire on the A-board, it seemed that no two people could agree on the benefits of the FVM wheels.  A while ago I converted about two dozen cars to test it out.  I found that they did roll better, added some nice low weight to the cars, looked far better, and gave off that pleasing clickety-clack.  Once things have turned around financially, I'll be adding FVMs to the rest of my cars.  I figure could outfit the rest of my modest fleet for less than the cost of a pair of Kato diesels.

[sizemore]

I guess the way I look at it is pretty simple. My standard is:

- Body mount 1015's or 1025's
- MT trucks
- FVM wheelsets
- Replace thick roofwalks with MT's
- Replace stirrups on Trainman type equipment

I am basically adding $4-5 per car in the long run, but I am gaining a huge operations benefit and improving appearances. By starting now I wont be at the point of 500+ cars that I'd want to potentially retrofit later. Additionally, I wont have the daunting task of doing it all later financially. Plus if by the slim chance I get caught in the marriage bear-trap...I need some supplies to fend off the barren wasteland that I'll call a hobby. I'm at the point where I have 95% of what I want, so why not start throwing some funds at improving existing equipment.

The S.

[Iain]

I can say, since my freight car fleet now totals fifteen boxcars, I will probably be converting over to FVM wheelsets as I purchase stuff.  My plan is to buy stuff only as I finish weathering/detailing previous purchases.