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Posted - October 10 2021 : 4:02:09 PM
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I have an MDC Boxcab Diesel that came with sintered steel wheels. While those have great traction, they collect dirt on the treads in no time flat.
Northwest Shortline makes nickel silver replacements for Athearn wheels, which is what the wheels really are in the MDC Boxcab. They're outside frame 42" wheels with 3/32" dia. axles. The wheels have half-axles that press into a central gear sleeve.
The wheel treads are already pretty smooth, but I polished them just a bit smoother with Brasso, which contains a fine abrasive. This way, thay'll stay pretty clean (at the expense of a bit of pulling power).
If you press the wheels all the way into the gear sleeve, they'll be just a little narrow gauge, so I made up some washers from the brass from spent .22 caliber bullet shells.
The new wheels are just a small fraction wider than the originals, so if they're properly gauged, they pry the truck apart by pushing against the bearings in the side frame. If you just accept them being narrow gauged, they don't play nice with the guard rails by switch frogs.
The side frames press onto the plastic truck frames with little studs that press into holes. I added small washers, just like the ones I used on the axles to move the side frames and bearings out just a little so everything fit. The studs are the ones sticking up out of the bronze contact on the metal side frame. There's a washer on the table next to it. The brass thing with 4 holes in it is a set of washers in the making. The holes have been drilled and reamed to size. The washers have only to be cut out with tin snips.
The Trains Miniature Alco FA I bought last June used the exact same wheel sets as the MDC Boxcab, so I upgraded it to Nickel Silver wheels, as well. Its side frames were already spaced wide enough to fit the new wheels when properly gauged.
The wheelsets are a bit expensive ($24.95/Doz., if I remember right), but I figured that the reliable operation of clean wheels would be worth the extra price.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - October 10 2021 : 10:27:52 PM
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Awesome work, shaggy! Great fabrication/modification.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - October 10 2021 : 11:09:27 PM
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Totally ingenious.
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