Should I replace plastic wheels

Gizzy

dragon


While we are chatting about plastic wheels . . . . . . . . . . . if I fit the LGB pickup wheels to a wagon can I feed the power to the motor through the socket on the back of the loco cab? Or does it vary from model to model? Or Are the sockets for lighting and 'out' only?

I will have a go if I can work out the polarity. Thank you.

Do you have a voltmeter/multimeter Fred?
 

Yes I do.

After all this hype for metal wheels, Steve should seize the advertising opportunity and offer a bulk discount for all us newly converted people to replace our track dirtying plastic stuff.  I had always blamed the live steam locos for making the track a mess, I never dreamed it was what was being hauled by them. I hate to think how many sets I will need just for my LGB hoppers and small coaches. Never mind as its nearly Christmas!

dragon

Gizzy

dragon


While we are chatting about plastic wheels . . . . . . . . . . . if I fit the LGB pickup wheels to a wagon can I feed the power to the motor through the socket on the back of the loco cab? Or does it vary from model to model? Or Are the sockets for lighting and 'out' only?

I will have a go if I can work out the polarity. Thank you.

Do you have a voltmeter/multimeter Fred?

Yes I do.

 
I guess the question should be do you know how to use a volt meter Fred??.........................I just plug one lead in if it don't spark must be OK........................then plug 't'other one in...........

I would  recommend  that LGB  Metal  wheels  are  NOT  your  first  choice  as  they  are  approx  only half the  weight  of  some other  brands  such as  USA  trains wheels ( not  only  that  LGB  are  more  expensive!)

Steve


Are the USA Trains wheels ok to fit on LGB European stock, functionally and aesthetically?

RH Prague

I would  recommend  that LGB  Metal  wheels  are  NOT  your  first  choice  as  they  are  approx  only half the  weight  of  some other  brands  such as  USA  trains wheels ( not  only  that  LGB  are  more  expensive!)

Steve


Are the USA Trains wheels ok to fit on LGB European stock, functionally and aesthetically?

They're actually better than LGB in my view - very slightly smaller so the stock rides just a fraction lower but still looks fine if coupled to LGB wheeled stock. If you get the blackened versions they do look superb. I believe that some have said (and I may be wrong) that the axles are marginally longer so may be a tight fit (easily remedied) with some LGB stock, but I haven't experienced this problem and I have rewheeled a LOT of stock. My favourite though was the USA ball bearing fitted wheels - expensive but absolutely lovely in all respects.
 
Incidentally, are you the old PragueAddict of GSM?

JRinTawa

On my scratch built stock I've been using Tenmille spoked wheels and they are giving me great results too.

I was going to ask which (metal) spoked wheels people use. Is the consensus that Tenmille are the way to go? Anyone any experience of other metal (tyred) spoked wheels - LGB seem to get the thumbs-down from most?

Rik

I know this goes against the majority feeling but I bought some Bachmann wheels at Telford and having fitting them to some lgb twin axle coaches I have seen a major difference. The coaches no longer free wheeled and none of my engines could pull more than two of them at a time and even then at a much reduced speed. Tried lubricating and spinning the axles but the only cure was to put the plastic ones back on. At least I've got a realistic load for my my wagons now!!

Could be that they are Bachmann?  Good quality metal wheelsets will spin as freely in their journals as plastic and the inertia provided by the weight of the wheel will keep them spinning longer. You may need to carefully ream out the axlebox a bit (and check the axle is the same length and diameter - a bit smaller is OK) as that you are replacing and doesn't have any rough burrs)  - but to get benefit they must rotate smoothly and easily.

shropshire lad


I know this goes against the majority feeling but I bought some Bachmann wheels at Telford and having fitting them to some lgb twin axle coaches I have seen a major difference. The coaches no longer free wheeled and none of my engines could pull more than two of them at a time and even then at a much reduced speed. Tried lubricating and spinning the axles but the only cure was to put the plastic ones back on. At least I've got a realistic load for my my wagons now!!

I've had the same problem, it was the plastic brake blocks which are moulded to the LGB bogies binding on the Bachmann wheels. In effect it's like trying to drive away with the brakes on. Just file the brake blocks back a smidge and all will be well.

John has a very good point. I think that some of the more recent bogies need shorter axles or deeper holes in the axleboxes.
A friend recently bought a rake of heavy, metal bodied, GRS Ffestiniog bogie coaches. They didn't run freely so he fitted metal wheels to no avail, despite their weight they wouldn't run away down a slope! They did after making the axlebox holes deeper and adding a drop of oil.

Nice one Mel! I can't see where it's rubbing but easing the brake arms back has done the trick til I can get in there properly
Thanks John for your suggestion

Hey, I remember the brake block trick now! If I recall, LGB plastic is quite amenable to the very brief application of a flame to soften the plastic, bend away and hold for a second or two and the plastic hardens again. Leave the flame aroud for too long though and you'll wish you hadn't tried this trick!

Incidentally, are you the old PragueAddict of GSM?

Hi John


Yes I guess I must be. Certainly I was on GSM. You helped me a couple of times. I think the first time was when I bought a dodgy 'new' Harz 2-6-2 off eBay only to establish through you and others that it was 20 years old. Running well for its age though, and the guy sent me half the money back !I cant remember what handle I used. Prague Addick it would have been, as the Addicks are nickname of my hapless other love, Charlton Athletic FC....


Richard

Slaters do a direct replacement for LGB spoked wheels. Slaters part no: SLG 630, 30.3mm diam, replaces LGB 67319. These have steel tyres on a plastic spoked centre. They also do a stainless steel tired version - more expensive!
 
GRS do several replacements for LGB wheelsets, to enable people to change LGB stock to 32mm gauge as well as 45mm. Solid disc wheels with different diameters. Some are steel, some are nickel plated and some are aluminium wheels.

That's the one. We visited Prague some time after that and I couldn't find you about then to seek advice - loved the city (and must go back as it went straight to the top of my European favourites) and the trams - but the centre was so different from the shadows of communism that were still apparent on the outskirts. 

A though about the Bachmann wheels being tight as replacements.  Found a similar issue when changing whels sets on Hartland bogied stock.  The collar on the Bachmann wheels were just slightly bigger than equivalent on the HLW plastic ones and they binded on the back of the axleboxes.  A quick trim to the offending edge of the axleboxes and the Bachmann ones now run as sweet as a nut.

In answer to Rik's query re metal spoked wheels. As other's noted Tenmille is not the only option, there are others to choose from.  The Tenmille ones I use are the split spoke type which are right for the era of NZR stuff I like.

dragon

Gizzy

dragon


While we are chatting about plastic wheels . . . . . . . . . . . if I fit the LGB pickup wheels to a wagon can I feed the power to the motor through the socket on the back of the loco cab? Or does it vary from model to model? Or Are the sockets for lighting and 'out' only?

I will have a go if I can work out the polarity. Thank you.

Do you have a voltmeter/multimeter Fred?

Yes I do.

PM sent with instructions to help you work out the polarity....

Gizzy

dragon

Gizzy

dragon


While we are chatting about plastic wheels . . . . . . . . . . . if I fit the LGB pickup wheels to a wagon can I feed the power to the motor through the socket on the back of the loco cab? Or does it vary from model to model? Or Are the sockets for lighting and 'out' only?

I will have a go if I can work out the polarity. Thank you.

Do you have a voltmeter/multimeter Fred?

Yes I do.

PM sent with instructions to help you work out the polarity....

Many thanks. Not delivered yet.

dragon

Gizzy

dragon

Gizzy

dragon


While we are chatting about plastic wheels . . . . . . . . . . . if I fit the LGB pickup wheels to a wagon can I feed the power to the motor through the socket on the back of the loco cab? Or does it vary from model to model? Or Are the sockets for lighting and 'out' only?

I will have a go if I can work out the polarity. Thank you.

Do you have a voltmeter/multimeter Fred?

Yes I do.

PM sent with instructions to help you work out the polarity....

Many thanks. Not delivered yet.

Well, I've received your thank you PM Fred....

This thread's running better than the plastic wheels!

Mick