FVM wheels no longer listed on MBK

[Bill H]

Group:
Just noticed that MBK no longer shows any wheels for FVM. It has been a very long time since I have seen them listed as in stock anywhere, though there have been periodic rumors that they were "on the ocean". I seem to remember FVM was having some family issues but the rolling stock seems to be still periodically in production. I wonder if FVM wheels are simply no more. I have been waiting literally for years for wheels to fit MT trucks, no joy. Anyone heard anything different?

Kind regards,
Bill

[Steveruger45]

Gave up on even trying for FVM wheels a while ago.
I’ve been using Intermountain 60052 for 33” metal wheels instead.  Now I see these are not so easy to find either.

[MetroRedLine]

Group:
Just noticed that MBK no longer shows any wheels for FVM. It has been a very long time since I have seen them listed as in stock anywhere, though there have been periodic rumors that they were "on the ocean". I seem to remember FVM was having some family issues but the rolling stock seems to be still periodically in production. I wonder if FVM wheels are simply no more. I have been waiting literally for years for wheels to fit MT trucks, no joy. Anyone heard anything different?

Kind regards,
Bill

I'm a big fan of FVM wheels and it looks like the last of the stock has been purchased. The .540" 33" and 36" wheelsets in both fine and wide tread have been sold out for a loooooooong time. Fox Valley is a small company and I'm sure they'll re-run the wheels...someday. I've tried communicating with them via email and Facebook for years regarding loco parts and have never ever gotten a response.

My second choice is BLMA/Atlas wheels, but they too have been out of production, though not for as long. I have faith that they'll be re-released before FVM does.

I settle for Athearn metal wheels for .540" axles currently, those can still be found. I've heard good things about Eastern Seaboard Models metal wheels, some people claim they're equal to or very close to FVM quality, but I haven't tried them myself yet.

[bbussey]

ESM wheels are always in stock. We just filled a huge MBK restock order on .540” axle 33” and 36” wheels that they should show as in stock before the end of the week. 

[tehachapifan]

I'm a big fan of the ESM wheels! While I've only tried the 33" wheels so far, I haven't found a wobbler yet....which is more than I can say for some other brands.

[Mark5]

It is normal for out of stock items to "disappear" from the MBK site when inventory reaches zero. When they receive restock (whenever that might be) the items will "re-appear".

Mark

[Chris333]

You can probably Google them and find the page at MBK that lists them as out of stock.

[Maletrain]

Another satisfied customer here for ESM wheels.

My only problem is that they are only made in 0.540" axle length, and I have a lot of trucks that need other lengths.  Fox Valley was the only supplier that made a variety of axle lengths.

[Englewood]

I miss FVM. Great wheels, great locomotives. I've got a few locos pre-ordered from them that I will be deleting from my list at year's end. I hope one day to see them back to full steam.

[bbussey]

Another satisfied customer here for ESM wheels.

My only problem is that they are only made in 0.540" axle length, and I have a lot of trucks that need other lengths.  Fox Valley was the only supplier that made a variety of axle lengths.

.553” axle length eventually. And bulk packs as well, once the demand warrants. Also 28” wheels the next time we produce a well car release, and hopefully 38” wheels too.  In the mean time, the .540” axle 33”/36” 12-packs always will be in stock.  We brought in our supply for 2021 on both wheel sizes with the last boxcar run, but we still had 33” wheels on hand already to cover demand into next year.  If your favorite dealer is out, all they need to do is place an order.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

.553” axle length eventually. And bulk packs as well, once the demand warrants. Also 28” wheels the next time we produce a well car release, and hopefully 38” wheels too.  In the mean time, the .540” axle 33”/36” 12-packs always will be in stock.  We brought in our supply for 2021 on both wheel sizes with the last boxcar run, but we still had 33” wheels on hand already to cover demand into next year.  If your favorite dealer is out, all they need to do is place an order.

The .553" axles are what I need. I have a TON of Atlas 100t trucks that need converting. I think they also had a second axle width for some 100t trucks that was .563" but these are less common.

[tehachapifan]

... Also 28” wheels the next time we produce a well car release....

I wasn't aware of any well cars with 28" wheels. Do you mean modern well cars or something older?

[GaryHinshaw]

38" wheels would be fantastic, as long as they're compatible with the Kato 125T trucks.  The Kato wheels are ok, but could definitely be improved upon with a narrower tread and better face profile.

The only cars I know of to use 28" wheels are some low-boy auto racks.  As a cautionary note, I tried 28" FVM wheels once in some MT trucks and the truck side frames hung so low that they would drag on the railhead at turnouts.  The tolerances need to be pretty tight.

[bbussey]

I wasn't aware of any well cars with 28" wheels. Do you mean modern well cars or something older?

1958 GSC well car.  It utilizes 28" wheels, and we've previously sub-contracted the wheels from FVM.  I suspect we will have to "roll our own" for the next release.



The Barber S-2A 50-ton trucks that currently are used on the Atlas PS-1 are what we used for trucks on most of the models, the exception being ASF Ride Control trucks on the DODX release.  Both of those truck frames operate well with the 28" wheels, as would the ASF A-3 truck frame since they all utilize the same bolster and journal box orientation (Affa-designed).

[thomasjmdavis]

With all the talk about wheels.....OK, about to display some ignorance, but....
I have been under the impression that both Atlas and MTL were using .540 wheelsets. 

But, in my drawer of stuff I've never found a use for, I have a package of (plastic  ) ATLAS made wheelsets that are labeled "MT replacement wheelsets".  If they both use .540 wheelsets, why would these wheels (although made by Atlas) be specific to MT trucks?