replacing wheel sets, grab irons etc

[h2w]

I have recently picked up ho scale airslide covered hoppers, mainly older walthers, these have the plastic wheels, where do I start in replacing the wheels and do I have to replace the trucks as well?
next I have some ho scale athearn and atlas RTR  2 bay covered hoppers, with missing stirrups, grab irons etc where should I start with getting these parts as well, i'm new to do this so any help will be useful
thank you
mark

[Kisatchie]

I can't help with the wheels/trucks, but I'd suggest metal grab irons, etc. I've never used this brand of ladders/grabs, but they're made of metal and should be very durable:

http://yarmouthmodelworks.com/details.php



Hmm...this should get
you started...

[Philip H]

Mark,
BLMA, Details West, Detail Associates, and Precision Scale all have freight car details in HO that should help. Not sure who makes HO metal rrplacement wheels, but as long as you get the a le length right you should be able to reuse the existing trucks.