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 Posted - May 05 2007 : 02:20:03 AM
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I've seen a few references to this in various subtopics but I'd really like to consolidate the opinions:
What are some good replacements for Tyco wheelsets? Not necessarily the entire trucks, but just the axles?
My problem is that the Trailer Jet is too heavy... and while 6 or 8 Tyco cars roll well enough on their own, all the powertorques in the world wouldn't budge two dozen of them. I tried moving a consist of 27 62' cars for filming and even 3 brand-new atlas engines had difficulty. So that project was an unmitigated disaster! (for the record - the engines touched the last car, running attempting to run on my 4x8 [:D])
My goal is something relatively cheap and plentiful, easily obtained in batches for not much money. These are lowly Tycos after all, mostly worth $5-10 apiece - so no Kadee or Genesis sets, LOL.
Does anyone know what size ReBoxx would fit? At least you could order batches of just what you need of those.
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Posted - May 05 2007 : 1:46:23 PM
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I've found the critical factor is to enlarge the sockets in the Tyco sideframes using a cordless drill as a lathe. Once done, followed by placing Proto wheelsets will dramatically improve the truck's ability to roll. I generally use 33 inch wheelsets. As to how far to drill and the size drill bit, I use a size larger than 1/64" and measure the depth by the "seat of my pants." (i.e. I install the wheesets and see how far they roll. If not to my liking, I remove and drill more.)
On various forums, I've seen a device called "The Tool" touted as the cat's meow for improving rolling performance. I hesitated for a few years as I was happy with my cordless drill technique. I broke down and bought a "Tool" a while back and I wasn't impressed, at least with Tyco equipment. I still prefer, at least with Tyco trucks, to use the cordless drill "lathe." A caveat, occasionally I've drilled too far and gone right through the journal. But given the relatively low cost of Tyco trucks I'm not too concerned!
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Posted - May 05 2007 : 9:39:05 PM
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I posted somewhere else that I used Atlas wheelsets, $3 for four axles not trucks, to upgrade a So76 caboose. Took all of 3-5 minutes. It was not necessary to modify the trucks at all. It makes the caboose track better too. My hobby shop stocks proto2x wheels 3 sets for $9 but I've found other wheels don't turn as well and probably do require Tyco truck mods.
Alco Fan
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Posted - May 27 2007 : 11:53:47 AM
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Where did you order Atlas wheelsets from?
-Gareth
Edited by - romcat on May 27 2007 12:50:24 PM
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Posted - May 27 2007 : 12:47:18 PM
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I have upgraded my tyco to proto. I have used the truck reamer from micro-mark and the drill method that detroitterminal mentioned. The micro-mark truck tool is not the best for tyco due to the rubber grip to turn tool for enlarging hole. The drill method is easier and as he mentioned"by the seat of the pants". I drilled through the sides on a few and into my finger. The ones that were drilled through the sides are not noticable unless you have a magnifier.
Edited by - Brianstyco on May 27 2007 12:49:53 PM
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Posted - June 03 2007 : 12:29:05 PM
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Hey GIC:
I was re-reading your posting about the pull of 27 x 62 footers. OK, so thats 9 cars per PT/Tyco or Atlas/Whatever. Thats pretty shocking!
a) Inclines?
b) Loop I assume since it became a tail-chaser...
Any Atlas I have will pull well over 10 cars on the level, so what do you attribute the problem to; friction in the Tyco wheelsets?...?
Also did you take a pic???
Cheers,
Gareth
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Posted - June 03 2007 : 4:41:51 PM
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for Gareth,
I was just at the hobby shop yesterday and he informed me that they were Wathers wheels and axles, no trucks, I paid $3 for 4 axles. They looked to me like they were Atlas axles because the axle was narrower in the center. Anyway I asked him to order more. I did nothing but install on my Tyco So76 caboose, I like the Easy button.
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Posted - June 03 2007 : 5:24:35 PM
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Hey AF:
Any thoughts on WHY they work so much better?
-G
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Posted - June 03 2007 : 5:45:55 PM
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I just found the card that the 36" wheelset 4pack was attached to and it was Walthers 933-383. I put the old Tyco caboose wheels in the original bag and attached it to the card in case I want to reverse it sometime.
The part that fits into the truck has a narrower conical point, sharper, not as wide as other sets, so it doesn't need to have the truck adjusted.
It also seems easy to remove the stock horn hook and put in the new KDs with wiskers without modifing the draft box. I did this on another Tyco freight car. Good for pulling, don't know about backing a long line of cars.
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Posted - June 03 2007 : 7:23:27 PM
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Gareth,
It's most DEFINITELY friction in Tyco trucks. They simply are not very freerolling. To put it in perspective... I've run the "Orouboros Express" several times, often with just ONE Atlas/Proto, or maybe a pair of blue-box Athearns. The stock in those trains is a mix of newer metal-wheel RTR and some older Athearn/ MDC / Walthers / etc. type kits.
One of two Tycos might not seem too bad, but get 8 or more in a row and see what happens. Then try 27 of them....
Layout is 4x8, level.
I'll have to try the Walthers wheelsets; I think I've actually got quite a few of those lying around somewheres. But since the Protos exchanged for those with no problem but do not work in Tyco trucks, I figured not to hold my breath.
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Posted - July 16 2007 : 12:14:14 AM
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First, remove the flash with a tuner andt hen add metal wheel sets that are NMRA stand.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - August 10 2007 : 5:50:00 PM
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Recently I've discovered that Intermountain 33 inch wheelsets can be installed into Tyco trucks with no modification and very impressive results are immediately noticed! I modifed 12 Tyco Brown Box-era 40 foot boxcars with these wheelsets and found their new rolling ability to rival Atlas or Athearn!
However they aren't the panacea I hoped for all my Tyco rolling stock. Tyco apparently went through several vendors to supply their trucks and not all have the same properties. Some trucks will still need modification for a better wheelset.
Also, I've found that some pre Proto 2000 Life-Like trucks will readily accept a Proto wheelset without modification. Again, Life-Like like Tyco must have used different truck designs through the years and modification is sometimes necessary.
For all my skepticism of "The Tool," I've found it valuable particularly with modifying the pre-Proto Life-Like trucks that don't readily accept the Proto wheelsets. I hearby recant my negative comments on "The Tool!"
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