A week of wheels: FVM wheels in at Scaletrains

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Bryan, the.553 36" wheels are in this batch, right?

I'll probably drop an order when I get back from Thailand.

[bbussey]

Bryan, the.553 36" wheels are in this batch, right?

Yes.

[Cajonpassfan]

They're what ST is calling semi-scale. The "standard" appear to be Matt's "wide".

This is great news indeed! But, I'm confused: in the photos, the "standard" and "semi-scale" seem to look the same to me, and their flanges appear thin and deep, without the rounded fillet transition, see below. Perhaps it's just the photos (or me) but it would be useful to see a comparison and dimensions, including wheel thickness, if anyone already has these new wheelsets.
Thanks,
Otto K.

[GaryHinshaw]

I was confused by that too, but it seems pretty clear that they just used the same photo for every entry on that page (including the Z scale link).  If you click - for example - on the semi-scale .540" axle link you'll see stock numbers like 3301 and 3601, which match FVM's original stock numbers for their semi-scale wheels with .540" axles.   I'm hoping the profiles have not changed, since I ordered a bunch!

[Cajonpassfan]

Gary I hope you're right. I assume the semi-scale are Matt's medium, not the original narrow? Or am I still confused?
Otto

[peteski]

Call me confused too.  After mulling over the photos I also decided that they are using the same stock photo for all the varieties of wheelsets. 

[GaryHinshaw]

Gary I hope you're right. I assume the semi-scale are Matt's medium, not the original narrow? Or am I still confused?
Otto

Me too!  But it will probably be a few weeks until my order makes it across the border, so I can verify.  One of the images on the order page shows a bulk pack of 3601's:



These certainly look like the original narrow tread wheels (which is the feature I appreciate most about them).  As far as I know there have only ever been two styles: the original narrow tread ones with stock numbers dd0x, and the wider tread, deeper flange ones with stock numbers ddx0, where dd=28,33,36 is the wheel diameter, and x=1,2,3,4 is the axle length code.

[mu26aeh]

We just got stock with IM wheel sets in the last 2 weeks.  I snagged up last 4 packs of 36", they are completely redesigned from the last IM wheels I had

[reinhardtjh]

I will probably get a 100-pk of the .563" length 36" for my various Keystone Details 2DP5, Atlas passenger, Rivarossi passenger trucks that I haven't yet converted.  I don't really need any .540" yet, I bought ton of the ESM last summer.  But have a crap-load of Bowser GLa and H21 with plastic wheels that I need the .553" length 33" for so I'll pick up bunch of the ESM since Bryan went through the trouble of getting them in production and they look so good.

[Bill H]

It has indeed been a long time since FVM wheels were available, and I originally used them along with the old, not as nice looking IM versions. And it is always good to have both options and competition in the marketplace.

When both FVM and IM wheelsets became scarce, I switched over to ESM wheelsets. To be blunt, I had nothing but problems with the FVM wheelsets, primarily because the mating between the insulator and the metal "tire" was very problematic. I had numerous wheelsets where the tire was not correctly seated on the insulator, causing wobbles, and more frequently the tire just fell off. There was a lot of discussion about this issue with FVM wheelsets here on RW and on other train boards when the FVM wheelsets were still available. Unless the molds/design has changed, you have to be very careful in inserting the FVM wheelsets into trucks, put the insulated side in first, or you risk dislocating the tire on the insulator. Learned that the hard way. And good luck getting the tire re-seated back on the insulator correctly if it becomes dislodged.

As I really don't have the time and patience to monitor the QC of each wheelset I buy, I am sticking with ESM. I have installed literally hundreds without any issues whatsoever and remain very pleased with their product and their QC.

Kind regards,
Bill

[DeltaBravo]

We just got stock with IM wheel sets in the last 2 weeks.  I snagged up last 4 packs of 36", they are completely redesigned from the last IM wheels I had

Adam, check the axel length. I purchased a bulk pack from another store and they are too long. Package says .537, but they are .542 and will not spin in my MT Trucks.  Contacted IM and was told they know about it and are working with the vendor. I mentioned that folks were still selling them and the person from IM did not respond. "1 × InterMountain 60058 - 36" Wheels - 100 Axles - 0.537" Axle Length - For Micro-Trains Trucks - N Scale"

[mu26aeh]

Adam, check the axel length. I purchased a bulk pack from another store and they are too long. Package says .537, but they are .542 and will not spin in my MT Trucks.  Contacted IM and was told they know about it and are working with the vendor. I mentioned that folks were still selling them and the person from IM did not respond. "1 × InterMountain 60058 - 36" Wheels - 100 Axles - 0.537" Axle Length - For Micro-Trains Trucks - N Scale"

We did not have any 36" marked for MicroTrains, but thanks for the heads up.  A friend bought a couple packs of the MT ones yesterday.  I'll pass info along

Re: no response from IM.  I'm in same boat right now.  I sent an email to them a week ago asking about availability of undec 5161 hoppers bc it seems my boss is getting a run around on them (yes available but they can't get instructions folded into the jewel case) .  I still haven't gotten a reply

[Bill H]

Adam, check the axel length. I purchased a bulk pack from another store and they are too long. Package says .537, but they are .542 and will not spin in my MT Trucks.  Contacted IM and was told they know about it and are working with the vendor. I mentioned that folks were still selling them and the person from IM did not respond. "1 × InterMountain 60058 - 36" Wheels - 100 Axles - 0.537" Axle Length - For Micro-Trains Trucks - N Scale"

David;
I find it hard to understand that .002 deviation from the standard expected .540 MT length would cause a bind sufficient that they would not spin. Can you confirm that the .542 measurement is correct, or is it an issue with the shape of the point of the axles or?

Kind regards,
Bill

[mu26aeh]

I tested out the 36" I grabbed and they work in Atlas/accumate trucks just fine.  Item #60051.  I don't have calipers to measure them

[DeltaBravo]

David;
I find it hard to understand that .002 deviation from the standard expected .540 MT length would cause a bind sufficient that they would not spin. Can you confirm that the .542 measurement is correct, or is it an issue with the shape of the point of the axles or?

Kind regards,
Bill

 Bill, I thought the same thing. I measured 15 wheel sets in the pack of 100 and everyone was oversize. And weirdly it caused binding on several sets of trucks I tested with.