Should I replace plastic wheels

trammayo


This thread's running better than the plastic wheels!

Mick

Sort of on the subject of wheels I'm sure I vaguely remember, from when I first started in G Scale, a fix for LGB 4 wheel coaches using lolly sticks that kept the axles more  in line.
Anyone any ideas or do I need to go for a lie down?

davecar


I have just started with g scale and I have bought rolling stock from various sources.
 
The new Bachmann trucks/coaches all have metal wheels. The new Pico have not. Also I bought several LGB on Ebay and they dont' have metal wheels.
 
I read on a forum that plastic wheels make the track harder to clean. should I start replacing my plastic wheels with metal wheels? Is it worth the cost?
 
Thanks,
 
Dave

This was one of Andy's (Mariazellerbahn) threads on GSM where he devised a method of self steering for long wheelbase 4 and 6 wheel stock - the type that have the pivoted end axles. Pivoted end axles are fine provided the car is coupled to something to maintain direction - but the problem is the last axle on the train which is free to go where it wishes within the limitation of the flanges. The net result is that it drags along untidily on those flanges. Andy's method connected this trailing axle to the leading axle (by the techinical wizardry of lolly sticks) and thus kept the flanges in better alignment with the rail.
 
Now if anyone has access to GSM archives, this was a useful one..........................................

Oops sorry - I quoted the wrong message on my last post. I was replying to Shropshire Lad's post 63. Excuse me while I go and lie down in a darkened room for a while!

Gizzy

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....

PM sorted .Apologies for confusion.

Yes!

This thread has been very useful for me, and I've been pondering what steps to take. In particular I'm thinking about coach lighting. As I understand it, another benefit of metal wheels is that you can use track power for lighting. That certainly seems more elegant. I fitted a ZB buffet car with LGB ball bearing wheel sets, which worked out at €16 per axle, but havent installed the lights yet.
Now the thing is, they have built in electrical pickups. I'd love to know if people use track power for lighting with USTrains metal wheels, and if so, how did they wire up? 
I thought that maybe I can use 1/2 LGB 67403 axles on 4 axle coaches, and save a bit of money that way, but sounds like there are size differences between the wheels and those  of the UStrains type which would rule it out.

Any thoughts or experiences? (sorry if it may have been covered in a different thread, but i didnt find anything in search)

RH Prague


This thread has been very useful for me, and I've been pondering what steps to take. In particular I'm thinking about coach lighting. As I understand it, another benefit of metal wheels is that you can use track power for lighting. That certainly seems more elegant. I fitted a ZB buffet car with LGB ball bearing wheel sets, which worked out at €16 per axle, but havent installed the lights yet.
Now the thing is, they have built in electrical pickups. I'd love to know if people use track power for lighting with USTrains metal wheels, and if so, how did they wire up? 
I thought that maybe I can use 1/2 LGB 67403 axles on 4 axle coaches, and save a bit of money that way, but sounds like there are size differences between the wheels and those  of the UStrains type which would rule it out.

Any thoughts or experiences? (sorry if it may have been covered in a different thread, but i didnt find anything in search)

I don't use metal wheels for lighting pickups - batteries do me for that, but I've used both USAT, Bachmann & LGB metal wheels for loco power pickup - all using the LGB or Massoth plungers, and fixing them on to the bogies in various ways.  The massoth plungers are a bit longer, and can create a bit more drag, so I don't use them on loco pony trucks, but they're OK on tender bogies where there's a bit of weight.
 

I have finally consigned the last of the plastic wheels to the scrap gondola,



they will be melted down for garden gnomes haha,



the next and as bad a thing to sort out is those traction tyres on locos, they seem to be very good at leaving goo everywhere and are the main cause of gearbox failure by either overloading a loco or the weight of the train pushing a stalled loco into an early retirement

Attached Image(s)

davecar


I have just started with g scale and I have bought rolling stock from various sources.
 
The new Bachmann trucks/coaches all have metal wheels. The new Pico have not. Also I bought several LGB on Ebay and they dont' have metal wheels.
 
I read on a forum that plastic wheels make the track harder to clean. should I start replacing my plastic wheels with metal wheels? Is it worth the cost?
 
Thanks,
 
Dave

Hi Dave

I would just like to say thanks for starting this thread, and all those that replied to it,
after reading all the comments I finally took the plunge and made the most of Steve (back2bay6) 15% off offer last weekend.  Cleared his shelves and van i think

Spent a day and half replacing the last of the plastic wheels with metal (Sore fingers or what)

Where as previously I had only used them to add weight and had not really given any though the state of the track or cleaning.

I have now run trains round for almost a complete week and not needed to clean the track
once.
Which has meant I gained nearly an extra 2 hours of play testing time
thats an extra 100 hours a year. (plus a cleaner track it really is brighter when I finish)

So in my book thats well worth the extra pennies all 10,000 of them    (till SWMBO sees the debit card receipt that is)

So again  Big Thanks chaps  

Rob s

davecar


I have just started with g scale and I have bought rolling stock from various sources.

The new Bachmann trucks/coaches all have metal wheels. The new Pico have not. Also I bought several LGB on Ebay and they dont' have metal wheels.

I read on a forum that plastic wheels make the track harder to clean. should I start replacing my plastic wheels with metal wheels? Is it worth the cost?

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave

I would just like to say thanks for starting this thread, and all those that replied to it,
after reading all the comments i finally took the plunge a made the most of Steve (back2bay6) 15% off offer last weekend.  Cleared his shelves and van i think

Spent a day and half replacing the last of the plastic wheels with metal (Sore fingers or what)

Where as previously i had only used them to add weight and had not given any though
to track cleaning.

I have now run trains round for almost a complete week and not needed to clean the track
once.  Which has meant i got nearly an extra 2 hours of play testing time

So again  Big Thanks chaps  

Hi Rob
Hope you saved some for the rest of us

Hi Richie

I really did empty his shelves and van, he is a really nice chap and makes a smashing
cup of coffee too. Not sure i thanked him for the coffee, so if you read this steve THANKS

He sorted out 1/2 a dozen little probs i had as well, and when i find my paper work and send him the part numbers he is prepared to try to get some other bits. TOP CHAP

I also picked up some second hand bits and bobs for really good prices, but the wheels were the dogs whats its really.

I am sure he will be able to get more stock in (probably)

Hi all,
 
I am new to G scale and obviously new to this forum. When I made this post little did I know it would reach 73 posts.
 
I started in G Scale only last May and have made loads of mistakes, which has cost me money as well as time but I have found this forum very helpful and incredibly supportive.
 
Many thanks - I am beginning to learn about the complexities and frustrations of G scale as well as the joys.
 
Thanks again,
 
 
Dave

davecar


Hi all,
 
I am new to G scale and obviously new to this forum. When I made this post little did I know it would reach 73 posts.
 
I started in G Scale only last May and have made loads of mistakes, which has cost me money as well as time but I have found this forum very helpful and incredibly supportive.
 
Many thanks - I am beginning to learn about the complexities and frustrations of G scale as well as the joys.
 
Thanks again,
 
 
Dave

Hi Dave
I too only started trains in any scale in the last few years,
Some times fresh eyes and minds ask the simplist of questions
This one certainly made me think and after reading all the replies act.
So keep asking, they really are a nice bunch on here.
You have made a fantastic difference to my fun time
Thanks again

davecar

I started in G Scale only last May and have made loads of mistakes, which has cost me money as well as time

Join the club, mate!  I've been doing this since 1998 and still find myself thinking "why didn't I do it this way to start with?!"   It's all part of the great outdoors experience, or that's what I tell myself....
 

but I have found this forum very helpful and incredibly supportive.

 
Thank you very much. It's nice to have that feedback.