LL/Hobbycraft GP9RM Replacement Wheels

[BCR751]

Now that I have an actual in-progress layout to run things on, I tried out my never-been-run LL/Hobbycraft GP9RM today.  Much to my disappointment, I found it doesn't run well on ME Code 55 track.  In checking it out, I noticed that the wheel flanges appear excessively deep for a recently produced (2012) model.  Anyone know if there are replacement wheel sets with smaller flanges available for this loco?

Doug

[mmagliaro]

If you need the flanges ground down, send me a PM. 

[sizemore]

Northwest Shortline makes replacement wheels:

40"/72 Lifelike diesel wheels (China-built units w/1.5mm plastic axle) (8/pkg) 2575-6 $9.95
40"/64 Lifelike diesel wheels (China-built units w/1.5mm plastic axle)(8/pkg) 2576-6 $9.95

The S.

[craigolio1]

Having the wheels turned down is a great option. I have had all of my locos turned down to work on Code 40.

[Iain]

I put Atlas trucks in my LL GPs; they're a drop in replacement.

[peteski]

I put Atlas trucks in my LL GPs; they're a drop in replacement.

That seems to imply that the Atlas wheelsets themselves should also fit.

[SirTainly]

On the LL GP60 you can either use atlas trucks or drop in the wheels. Worth a try I suspect. I have vague recollections about dropping in wheels on my GP20 but can't be sure not. I'll see if I can find my GP9RM and test it out.

[BCR751]

Northwest Shortline makes replacement wheels:

40"/72 Lifelike diesel wheels (China-built units w/1.5mm plastic axle) (8/pkg) 2575-6 $9.95
40"/64 Lifelike diesel wheels (China-built units w/1.5mm plastic axle)(8/pkg) 2576-6 $9.95

The S.

Pardon my ignorance but what do the 72 and 64 represent?  Is it number of gear teeth?

Doug

[craigolio1]

Width of the wheel tread. If I recall the 72 is more typical and the 64 is a semi fine scale.  I'm pretty sure Greg Kennelly will reply here in a moment with exact specifications.

Craig.

[GaryHinshaw]

Correct, tread width in thousandths of inches.

...

Hi Simon! Long time no see.

[PGE_Modeller]

Width of the wheel tread. If I recall the 72 is more typical and the 64 is a semi fine scale.  I'm pretty sure Greg Kennelly will reply here in a moment with exact specifications.

Craig.

Gary beat me to it!!

Cheers,

[nkalanaga]

I had my collection turned years ago by Trainworx, before they became a manufacturer.  Price was good, and they've all worked fine - after I fixed my track.  Early ME turnouts weren't flat, and I had a few other spots where one rail was higher than the other.  The pizza cutters disguised the problem, especially with first-run Kato F units.  I spent several months finding all of the dips and humps, not just in turnouts, with a 4-unit set.  Oddly, three units would run fine, but with four, the third unit would derail.  The trucks couldn't rock, and when one end tipped to follow the bad spot, the other truck followed.  The smaller flanges allowed the wheels to lift over the rail on curves. 

As far as I know Pat no longer turns wheels, and most models today don't need it.  The last ones I had him do were my Overland Little Joes.  For $800 each you'd think the wheels would be up to modern standards!

[craigolio1]

Pat did all of mine as well. I'm glad you say they work well as I havnt had occasion to test them. I wasn't worried though as he came highly recommended. The last set I had done was maybe a year ago and we was still willing, but only if I wouldn't give a time line. (I think it was maybe a month - prettying everything takes me longer than that) He is really busy. It may be worth an email to him.

Craig.

[mmagliaro]

The 72 and 64 are not exactly tread width.  I thought that too, but double-checking the NMRA wheel standards document,
I see that .072" is the standard wheel width, which includes the width of the flange.  So while they are an indication
of a thicker or thinner wheel, they are not the tread width.

The nominal flange width is supposed to be .020", leaving .052" for the wheel tread.
(or .064" - .020" = .044" for the finer wheels).

I only looked this up because when I read this, I started thinking, " .072, wow, that sounds awfully thick for the tread ".
Then I measured some of my wheels and they were more like .072" total (and some of the nicer ones are about .065).

[GaryHinshaw]

You are correct Max; I was being sloppy.  Roughly the /64 correspond to the original FVM wheel width and the /72 to the wide FVM wheels.  NWSL also produces /50 wheels, but not for locos, just rolling stock (28", 33", and 36" dia.).  At $12.95 per 4 axles, they are a bit pricey though.