Metal Wheel Set Upgrade Surprise

[GaryHinshaw]

I have done this too, with no conductivity issues (that I'm aware of*).  I have had issues with trucks being not very free rolling after this treatment.   But that was in cases where I painted the trucks, without masking the axle cups, so I can't say whether the culprit was the painted cup, or powder on the axle tip.  Avoid both if you can.

-gfh

* I'm not using detection circuitry yet, but I'd be surprised if Bragdon powders were conductive.  On that topic, it would be great if FVM or BLMA could devise a plastic insert that provided the correct conductivity for detection circuitry.  (in addition to - not in place of - the current offerings.)

[chicken45]

Didn't BMLA recently revise their wheel sets? I remember they went out of stock for a while and Craig said they were tweaking them.
What did they do to them?

[PJPickard]

Scroll down about half way...

I wonder when these are going to on the market.

https://www.exactrail.com/exactrail-model-train-announcements

Paul

[MichaelWinicki]

I have done this too, with no conductivity issues (that I'm aware of*).  I have had issues with trucks being not very free rolling after this treatment.   But that was in cases where I painted the trucks, without masking the axle cups, so I can't say whether the culprit was the painted cup, or powder on the axle tip.  Avoid both if you can.

-gfh

* I'm not using detection circuitry yet, but I'd be surprised if Bragdon powders were conductive.  On that topic, it would be great if FVM or BLMA could devise a plastic insert that provided the correct conductivity for detection circuitry.  (in addition to - not in place of - the current offerings.)

Thanks for the info Gary.

Yeah, I leery of painting the truck with any sort sprayer (can/airbrush) just from the standpoint of mucking up the axle cups WITHOUT trying to cover those areas... But then to cover those areas first, you're taking the monkeying around with the trucks to a whole new level.   Bottom line I'm thinking brush painting the trucks or just hitting the outside area of the trucks with a light application of weathering powder.

[sdodge]

Didn't BMLA recently revise their wheel sets? I remember they went out of stock for a while and Craig said they were tweaking them.
What did they do to them?

Yes, they tweaked them making the tread slightly wider and the flange slightly deeper. The change is hardly noticeable. I have both in 33" and noticed an improvement in operation with no derailments with the new ones. I don't believe the new 36" is available yet?

Steve

[chicken45]

Scroll down about half way...

I wonder when these are going to on the market.

https://www.exactrail.com/exactrail-model-train-announcements

Paul

Those are quite nice.
I wonder how much they will cost.
I'm curious as to what the popular opinion will be. How often do we really stop and look at the backs of wheels to notice such a thing (especally in N). I'm all for accuracy, but performance and price will be the deciding factors for me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked about the innovation!
But hot damn do they look sweet!

[VonRyan]

Did FVM get rid of their medium profile flange? I don't see any markings on their packages now, and the wheels I though were medium profile are actually low-profile... not good...

Anyone want to trade 24 medium-profile FVM wheelsets for my 24 low-pro FVM wheelsets?

-Cody F.

[peteski]

Did FVM get rid of their medium profile flange? I don't see any markings on their packages now, and the wheels I though were medium profile are actually low-profile... not good...

Anyone want to trade 24 medium-profile FVM wheelsets for my 24 low-pro FVM wheelsets?

-Cody F.

What diameter? What axle length?

[VonRyan]

What diameter? What axle length?

I just know it's the wheelsets to fit MT trucks.
My Chinese caliper doesn't measure correctly seeing as how i checked it against a .22 cal. casing and a .45 cal casing so i couldn't tell you the diameter of the wheels.

-Cody F.

[kiwi_bnsf]

Apologies for potential thread hijacking, but with such a gathering of metal wheel set experience, can anyone tell me if there is an option to replace the Atlas wheel sets in their four axle locos with something closer to scale appearance?

I've replaced all my Atlas and Intermountain six axle locos with Kato fine scale wheel sets, and I love the appearance, but I've found the Kato axle points are too wide for the Atlas four axle trucks.

The wheel faces on the Atlas wheels do detract from the appearance of the trucks. I'm looking for a drop-in replacement as I lack tools for turning down my own wheels.

Any experience would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[m301]

I tried BLMA once and they certainly weren't as free rolling at Intermountains.
Maybe I'll try them again once they release the new ones.
I'll stick to IM wheels despite the price.

[CodyO]

Still planning on converting my whole fleet of now over 400 cars  to metal wheelsets but decided that the staging yard and upper levels should be started so now I need the cash for that hopefully by the summer I`ll convert them all I think I`m going with the FVM 33" Wide wheelsets about 75% of my fleet is Micro-Trains