ESM N wheels are in stock

[Cajonpassfan]

Ahh, thanks, Jim! Virtually identical...
Otto

[Chris333]

But how many licks to get to the center?

[peteski]

But how many licks to get to the center?

One  . . . two . . . three . . . CRUNCH! . . . Three!!

[milw156]

After putting about 100 0402 resistors on various axles over the weekend, I much prefer working with ESM wheelsets, resistor parallel to the axle, or FVM, resistor on the back of the wheel crossing the insulator. On the BLMA, the insulator protrudes above the back face of the wheel enough that it wont fit flush with anything, and the 0402's that I had aren't long enough to place diagonally between axel and wheel without cutting into the insulator-too much work for my eyesight!

[Cajonpassfan]

These look very nice, and appear to be about half way between FVM/ST "semi scale" and "standard" versions in terms of thread width/wheel thickness. Correct me if I'm wrong please.
So where's the best place to buys these? I need a bunch to do a 30 car test train (120 axles). I take it they are still only available in 12 set packs at this point?
Thanks,
Otto

[sp org div]

Snip - I much prefer working with ESM wheelsets, resistor parallel to the axle, or FVM, resistor on the back of the wheel crossing the insulator. On the BLMA, the insulator protrudes above the back face of the wheel…

0402’s?  You go dog! 
Ive had good results just using 0603’s parallel on the axle for all three brands. I just coat the corner with acc and use one 10k per car on the in-board side of the truck, or on both trucks of 80’ cars. I dont recommend mounting diagonally on any due to clearance issues. Simply span the gap with wire glue and camo with black acrylic.

[bbussey]

These look very nice, and appear to be about half way between FVM/ST "semi scale" and "standard" versions in terms of thread width/wheel thickness. Correct me if I'm wrong please.
So where's the best place to buys these? I need a bunch to do a 30 car test train (120 axles). I take it they are still only available in 12 set packs at this point?
Thanks,
Otto

MB Klein and N Scale Supply maintain the largest online stock.  Or you can buy directly at www.esmc.com.  Only available in 12-packs at the moment but NSS offers a "bulk" bundle price.

We're exploring 60-wheel packs for the 33"/.540" wheelset.  Demand is nearing the point where offering the bulk packaging for that diameter/axle-length would be viable.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Bryan! I just placed a direct order to try them out.
Otto

[bbussey]

Thanks Otto.

Okay, I got the production quote for the 60-packs.  The MSRP calculates out to be $65, which is a $12 savings off five 12-packs.  The full discount structure is in place so the prices will be discounted at dealers that carry the line.

[Maletrain]

Bryan, What are the prospects for introducing other axle lengths?  I am going to want to convert a lot of Atlas cars that seem to have 0.563" axles.

[bbussey]

If there is a demand for a wheel-diameter/axle-length, we will address it eventually. But we can’t afford to drop multiple new combinations at one time. The next variation to debut will be 60-packs of 33”/.540”, possibly before summer, definitely before the mill gondolas drop. The next variation after that will be 12-packs of .28”/.540”, which will be needed for the next GSC Well Car release that will follow the mill gondolas. After that, we’ll see where things stand.

[nkalanaga]

That sounds like a nice discount.  Not too surprising, as the packaging, both container and labor, probably costs more than it would appear.  I'll be buying at least one 60-pack, instead of stocking up on the NSN "bulk pack", as I don't need the 33"/.540 wheels right now, and the reduced waste is worth waiting for me.

[garethashenden]

Bryan, What are the prospects for introducing other axle lengths?  I am going to want to convert a lot of Atlas cars that seem to have 0.563" axles.

I would like 33"/.563" at some point. Luckily FVM wheels are available again, so its not urgent. But I would prefer your wheels.

[bbussey]

The current .553” variations, which are in higher demand than .563” variations, are doing moderately well. But the .540” variations are the strongest sellers and the 33”/.540” is in its own universe at this point. We are having to produce replenishment stock twice as quickly as the last two times. Most likely because .540” has become the defacto standard axle length for most new N models, and most rolling stock still ride on 33” wheels.

[nkalanaga]

And there are 50 years of plastic-wheeled KD/MT trucks out there, just waiting for metal wheels!

I'd like to see some ribbed-back wheels, but suspect that they would be too expensive to make, and probably limited in sales.  I need enough for a dozen or so company-service cars.  If that's the general level of interest it would hardly be enough to be worth tooling.

They were quite common in the steam era, so there might be a market.