A Streetcar Named... Descanso

[Cajonpassfan]

Narrow-gauging the MT standard gauge trucks isn't hard, and they can be made to work.
...
For a cosmetic truck it wouldn't be hard to make a good looking bolster, just cut the center out and splice the ends together with a cover plate.

Yes, that's what I'm thinking, but first I need the wheel sets. So where does one get four fine profile Nn3 wheelsets without sacrificing a set of Nn3 trucks? I assume Z scale wheels would be too small for this, they should scale to about 28". Or maybe I need to sacrifice the trucks and use them as expensive junk...
Otto

[nickelplate759]

NWSL sells 28" N-scale wheels (http://shop.osorail.com/category.sc?categoryId=263) as well as N-gauge wheelsets(http://shop.osorail.com/category.sc?categoryId=21, about halfway down the page).
You'd need an appropriate-lengh 1.5mm axle.

[wcfn100]

FVM sells 33" Z scale wheel which would be about 24" in N and would have the correct axle length already. 

I should have 4 extras from Chris's dump car project I could send you if you're interested.

Jason

[nkalanaga]

A 36 inch Z would be better, if anyone makes them in metal.  MT does, but they're plastic, although painting wouldn't be a problem.  One doesn't need metal wheels here, since they would be dirty/rusty after sitting for years.

Marklin wheels work fine, but I don't know whether the tread width would be what you want.

For a purely scenic wheelset, just cutting the axle off and filing a new point would work fine.  The wheel doesn't have to roll smoothly.

[GaryHinshaw]

FVM has 36" wheels in Z:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Fox-Valley-Models-Z-Wheels-36-Metal-Wheels-p/fvm-091.htm

I assume the .540" axle length on the product label is a typo.

[peteski]

If it is to be a stationary display, why are we worrying so much about (metal) wheels?

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback everyone!

So it looks like the most expedient thing is to sacrifice two Nn3 trucks for their wheels and use their sideframes for scenery...

Peteski, I don't recall being worried about metal wheels. I just want to find the right size wheels with a thin thread and a fine flange. They're gonna be rusty, so I don't care about the material. (By the way, if you ever see me "worry" about my trains, you have my permission to come over and shoot me... I'm having too much fun with this hobby so if I ever actually do worry about it, I'd have it coming )

Jason, thanks for the kind offer. Gary, err, Dr. Hinshaw, thanks for the NWSL link, but at a buck twenty five a wheel (!?) and no axles I'm better of with the MT's, and the 36" Z scale wheels still scale off to about 26", just like the MT's.

Our Santana "devil" winds have died down for now so we went out on a nice long hike today with friends, but I did manage to "grade" the Descanso site and lay a 39' section of 42" gauge track. I cut down a piece of code 40 flex by splicing out out a narrow section of ties. Now it needs to be blended in, maybe tonite...

Thanks for your interest in my "little" project.
Otto K.

[GaryHinshaw]

Gary, err, Dr. Hinshaw, thanks for the NWSL link, but at a buck twenty five a wheel (!?) and no axles I'm better of with the MT's, and the 36" Z scale wheels still scale off to about 26", just like the MT's.

I feel compelled to defend my honour (): my link was to 36" FVM wheels @ $7.89 for a pack of 12 axles, so 33 cents per wheel.  But cool project in any event. 

[peteski]

Peteski, I don't recall being worried about metal wheels. I just want to find the right size wheels with a thin thread and a fine flange. They're gonna be rusty, so I don't care about the material. (By the way, if you ever see me "worry" about my trains, you have my permission to come over and shoot me... I'm having too much fun with this hobby so if I ever actually do worry about it, I'd have it coming )

Not you specifically, but there seemed to be some posts (just before I posted) which seemed to show preference for metal wheels.

[Cajonpassfan]

Gary, no need to defend your honour with a "u", the Right Honourable Dr. Hinshaw, and I do mean that respectfully; I screwed up. But, they are still eight bucks plus shipping for the four axles I need ... The Nn3 trucks are sacrificed.
Thank you and kind regards,
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

And, drumroll, here's the site as of tonight...
I wish I had more space to model the scene more accurately, but don't we all
Never have laid 42" gauge track before...
Otto K.

[johnb]

Gary, no need to defend your honour with a "u", the Right Honourable Dr. Hinshaw, and I do mean that respectfully; I screwed up. But, they are still eight bucks plus shipping for the four axles I need ... The Nn3 trucks are sacrificed.
Thank you and kind regards,
Otto

or ask the guy who offered free MTL Nn3 wheelsets

[Cajonpassfan]

They are Z 33" or 24" in N, but okay. PM sent

[nkalanaga]

Laying Nn3 is exactly the same as laying N standard gauge track, just put the rails closer together.

I know you want 42 inches, but for what it's worth, Z/Nn3 runs fine on 0.25 inch gauge, as long as the track is straight.  So, for a short piece, lay one rail, space the other with a piece of 1/4 inch stripwood or plastic, and lay the other.  If you're soldering the rails, I definitely recommend the wood.  I did that for the station area on my layout, and trains run fine.  Don't try it on curves, the entire 6.5 mm, 0.256 inches, is needed there.  But that will get the gauge down to 40 inches, for those who want 36 inch gauge.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, we got back from a family Christmas trip today and I found four narrow gauge wheelsets in my mailbox.
Thank you USPS, Railwire, and especially Jason!! Free of charge, you gotta love it
So tonight, having the wheelsets handy, I narrow gauged the trucks, and thinned down the Descanso casting steps. Managed to break one also managed to find a rare color photo appropriate for my modeling period..."orange and cream". Now I need to find a good color match for painting...
Fun stuff...
Otto K.