Replacing Atlas Wheels

[garethashenden]

I have a bunch of Atlas frieght cars, some Trainman, some not. I'd like to slowly replace the wheels with metal ones as I gradually go through and detail/whether them. But I'm not sure about which axle length I need. I got some FVM 0.553" axles, but they have a lot of side to side slop in the trucks, almost to the point of coming out. Are these the right wheels?

[rogergperkins]

I have used Atlas "plastic" wheels to replace old wheels on MTL cars.  I am pleased with the way they improve the roll of the cars.

[MichaelWinicki]

I have a bunch of Atlas frieght cars, some Trainman, some not. I'd like to slowly replace the wheels with metal ones as I gradually go through and detail/whether them. But I'm not sure about which axle length I need. I got some FVM 0.553" axles, but they have a lot of side to side slop in the trucks, almost to the point of coming out. Are these the right wheels?

Depending upon who made the Atlas car it could need a .553 or a .563 I do believe.

[MichaelWinicki]

I have used Atlas "plastic" wheels to replace old wheels on MTL cars.  I am pleased with the way they improve the roll of the cars.

I don't think the Atlas "brown" low-pros get enough props.. they're a fine wheelset.

[mplsjct]

It looks like FVM makes 3 axle sizes for Atlas trucks, you have used the smallest one so far, so it looks as though you may have to do some trial and error to find the right axle length for the particular truck. I usually replace my Atlas trucks because I'm not fond of the coupling distance with Accumate trucks and couplers.

[bbussey]

I like the Atlas trucks, and I body-mount the couplers so the extended Accu-Mate coupler pocket is not an issue.  The middle FVM axle length will fit the majority of the Atlas truck frames, but it's best to have all sizes on hand to experiment with.

FYI, the axle length used on the new PS-1 boxcar is the same as that of MTL and BLMA axles.

[SkipGear]

I have a bunch of Atlas frieght cars, some Trainman, some not. I'd like to slowly replace the wheels with metal ones as I gradually go through and detail/whether them. But I'm not sure about which axle length I need. I got some FVM 0.553" axles, but they have a lot of side to side slop in the trucks, almost to the point of coming out. Are these the right wheels?

Anymore, the safe answer is to buy a couple of each size and length wheel set to have on hand and figure it out by trial and error. Sometimes even the "correct" wheel set doesn't feel right. It's good to have options on hand.

[nkalanaga]

In a pinch one can also carefully bend the sideframes in or out.  This was a common solution when MT wheelsets were the only replacement option for poor quality wheels.

[rogergperkins]

My friends at the LHS who model in HO have told me there is a tool to clean the area in the truck frame of "debris."
If one is replacing wheel sets because they are old and car does not roll well, wonder if this is a factor.
I have replace a lot of old wheel sets with alternate brown Atlas and am pleased with the results.
Metal wheels as replacements 

[nkalanaga]

I like metal wheels.  I'm too cheap, and with my current job, undercapitalized, to replace all of the plastic ones.  As for operation, I run short trains on mostly level track, so rolling resistance doesn't much matter to me.  Besides, I still have boxes of replacement plastic Precision Master and Intermountain wheels, and a few original MT lo-pros, so why dump them.  They're already paid for!

[SkipGear]

My friends at the LHS who model in HO have told me there is a tool to clean the area in the truck frame of "debris."
If one is replacing wheel sets because they are old and car does not roll well, wonder if this is a factor.
I have replace a lot of old wheel sets with alternate brown Atlas and am pleased with the results.
Metal wheels as replacements 

Unfortunately, nobody makes a "truck tuner" for N scale. In HO they pretty much settled on a standard axle length. N is not so lucky so you would need a couple different tuners or at least the longest version and then make sure you buy matching wheel sets as you dig the pockets out deeper.

[VonRyan]

There is a tiny handful of specialty drill-bits that have be specially ground to be used as tuning bits for MT trucks. Only about 20 were made.
They don't make the axle cup deeper, but rather it reshapes the angle so that the actual axle point is what is contacting the truck and at a very precise point. It makes MT trucks with MT wheelsets ultra free-rolling.
If I can get a look at the original spec sheet for tuning trucks (of all types that were around in the 70s-80s) I can see what it says about Atlas trucks.
Really all that is needed to be known is the angle of the axle point and the angle of the axle cups of the truck.


-Cody F.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I know it's a bit heretical, but I don't like metal wheels on an operating layout.

Why?

Because every time there's a derailment, there's a short. And when there's a short, a big chunk of the layout shuts down.

That's not fun for anyone.

[VonRyan]

I'll second that!
I only run equipment that has metal wheels if I know it runs well. So FVM low-profiles are a no-go, but their "Std" type are ok.


-Cody F.

[Philip H]

I know it's a bit heretical, but I don't like metal wheels on an operating layout.

Why?

Because every time there's a derailment, there's a short. And when there's a short, a big chunk of the layout shuts down.

That's not fun for anyone.

Now Ed, how's that any different from CSX putting one on the ground and requiring reroutes?  It just adds to the realism!