I was wondering on some recomendations on wheels for n gauge rolling stock? I want to replace plastic with metal. I have those atlas beercan cars and some lifelike and bachmann. What would I need to get. And what manufacter would be recomended and where can I buy them bulk. Thankyou Kenny
Well I just bought some metal wheels from Fox Valley Models and highly recommend them, they look beautiful. The other metal wheels my hobby shop had in stock just looked too chunky compared to these. They come in three different axle lengths, though so far I've just used the shortest length, 0.540" I believe. They come in 33" (70 ton) or 36" (100 ton) diameters, and you can buy them in packs of 12 (for 3 cars) or 100 (for 25 cars). If you do decide to try them out, I'd buy one of the 12 packs to start and test them out in your cars, then if you're happy with them, you can buy a 100 pack set, if you need that many. If your hobby shop has some in stock, you can bring in one of your plastic wheels and kinda eyeball them. That's a Red Caboose covered hopper car with the FVM wheels, I painted the sides of the wheels and the trucks with a mix of Grimy Black and Rust paint. An Athearn SP caboose with the same wheels.
Any of the Trainboard advertisers that carry those lines should be able to help you. TrainBoard Advertisers - TrainBoard.com
I can personally attest to rolling quality and appearance of the Fox Vally Models (FVM) and ExactRail metal wheels. I personally think the FVM wheels look a little better (the tread thinkness - not tread width - seems a little larger on the ExactRail wheels). I don't think you could go wrong with either choice and SteamGhost is right about TrainBoard advertisers. I also have BMLA wheels on order and look forward receiving those when they come in so I can test them as well. Edit: I forgot that BLMA covered hoppers come with their metal wheels installed. Those wheels are excellent as well. Thanks for the photo, Christoph. In the photo you can see what I mean about the ExactRail tread being thicker. I still like them, though, and they perform flawlessly. Andy Tetsu Uma
Here is a picture of all 3 wheel types: I think I showed this already in another thread but could not find it right now. So I add the thumbnail here.
If you use under-track uncoupling magnets, check that your test brand doesn't interact unduely with them. Do this with a complete car moved back and forth over the magnet. Even Fox Valley's wheelsets are slightly attracted to magnets, but perhaps not significantly. (I am able to "lure" a wheelset along level track with a hand-held uncoupling magnet, held just ahead of the wheelset). MH
Judging by Chris's picture I see if I able to convert to metal wheels it would be a tough call between FVM and BLMA wheel sets.With the limited use of my right hand its doubtful I will ever convert its just to hard replacing the few pizza cutters with low pros..
Well I have tried all of the metal wheel sets and it follows most of the thinking here. So the wheels I would discourage using would be the Atlas and Intermountain wheels. The look too deep and too sharp on the web of the wheel and do not roll all that well. The only bulk reseller is FVM with the 100 axle packages. All of the other metal wheels are sold in 12 axle packs as far as I can tell. I opted for FVM primarily because of the 100 axle packages. Now offered in 2 different tread widths, they are difficult to beat. I am not sure what I would do if BLMA offered the 100 axle packages. I have a bunch of ExactRail cars with thier metal wheels, and I am not impressed enough by their rolling action to give them a second look.
Andy, you are welcome In the meantime I got a 100-pack of FVM 3311 wheels, these are the "wider-thread-higher-flange" wheels for Atlas. They are a bit wider than the ExactRail wheels. In terms of performance, they all work normally well and sometimes not so well. I wrote down my experiences in my blog here on Trainboard, so if you want more information, you might find something there (but no pictures so far). The aspect of magnetism is an interesting point that I have not yet checked. I should do this soon, thank you for the hint.
I use both BLMA and FVM wheels. Both are excellent, but the BLMA are the better looking wheels, as they have the proper look on the back of the wheels also. Both roll beautifully.
Do yuo know what ones I need for atlas and life like and micro trains? is it 33 or 36 Please let me know so I get the right ones Thanks kenny
It's the axle length that makes the difference, FVM is the only one I know of that make different lengths. The best way is to measure them so you know what you need. New Atlas rolling stock use longer axles that MT.
I would consider the BLMA wheel sets for tank cars as the back side of the wheels are visible. For all other types of cars I do not think they they are worth the extra price. I have been very happy with the FVM wheels on the 300+ cars on the UPRR Geneva Sub. They track well and look great. Daryl
For easy reference, we have a Fox Valley Wheel Set Fit Chart . With axle lengths listed, I hope it will assist you in the selection of your wheel replacements. Roger Bernhardt RailroadMerchant.com
I wish FVM would keep their web site up to date. There is no mention (at the time of post) of 36" wide tread wheelsets -> http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/metalwheels.html.
