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[MrKLUKE]

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[glakedylan]

wheels: intermountain oops! i meant fox valley
couplers: micro trains Z scale
track: atlas code 55 or micro-engineering 55

hope this helps

[mu26aeh]

[MrKLUKE]

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[Missaberoad]

Micro-trains makes a Z scale coupler that is the best option for availability. There are trade offs however, there is only one option for a coupler box and it can cause the last car in your train to oscillate (think slinky) some people are bothered by this some aren't. ymmv...
Bowser also makes a z scale coupler that doesn't have the slinky effect but is not available through normal channels and a bit more work to implement. @ednadolski and @GaryHinshaw are better qualified to explain its Pros/cons...

As for wheels Fox valley models and BLMA both make semi scale metal wheels, IMO they are equal with FVM having a slightly smaller tread width...

[ednadolski]

Bowser also makes a z scale coupler that doesn't have the slinky effect but is not available through normal channels and a bit more work to implement. @ednadolski and @GaryHinshaw are better qualified to explain its Pros/cons...

For some pics showing the size contrast between the LEZ coupler and regular (mostly MT) couplers/pockets, see this thread.  Probably the best place to start is the last page and skim toward the beginning:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.400

If you have Exactrail cars, then the LEZ couplers will already fit into ER's body-mount pocket.   All you need is to add the 00-90 washer to take up some of the extra vertical space, see this post:

 https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg287361#msg287361


Ed

[GaryHinshaw]

Ed has the couplers pretty well covered and Missaberoad has the wheels covered.  I'll just add that FVM wheels have the distinct advantage of actually being available at the current time.  Hopefully the BLMA wheels (and trucks!) will return some day under Atlas.

[peteski]

While BLMA wheelsets have nice detail on the back of the wheels, I think the fine tread Fox Valley wheels have narrower (closer to scale) look.  Of course there is Northwest Short Line - they make fine-scale wheelsets but they are rather pricey compared to the other ones.

[C855B]

+1 on FVM. What hasn't been said yet is they come in three diameters - 28", 33" and 36" - and three axle lengths for maximum compatibility. Also, some sizes are available with block detection resistors.

[johnb]

I am pretty loyal to MTL

[eja]

You know, folks, I have never looked at the back side of an N scale wheel while it was moving down the track.

To me, the best ones are the ones that keep 'em rolling.    YMMV

[GaryHinshaw]

+1 on FVM. What hasn't been said yet is they come in three diameters - 28", 33" and 36" - and three axle lengths for maximum compatibility. Also, some sizes are available with block detection resistors.

One other variant is tread width.  The 4-digit product numbering scheme is as follows: first two digits give the wheel radius: 28, 33, 36 (inches), the 3rd digit gives tread width: 0 (narrow), 1 (wide), and the 4th digit gives axle length.  If you're replacing Exactrail wheels, you will almost certainly want 3301 and 3601, which are narrow tread wheels with 0.540" axle length.  They are available in packs of 12 axles or 100 axles:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N-Scale-Couplers-Trucks-Wheelsets-s/1445.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=1445&show=30&page=1&brand=Fox%20Valley%20Models

[BCR 570]

I have standardized on Fox Valley wheels  -they look the best and operate very well.  If you are painting and/or weathering your wheels they also take paint well.

Smaller couplers - I have used Micro-Trains Z Scale 905s with some success.  Yes they are fully compatible with regular MTL couplers.  I find that you have to be bang on with your installation or they won't work well.

I have just started using Atlas Code 55 and the results have been positive.  It seems to be readily available at the moment which is good.


Tim

[basementcalling]

LEZ?

[C855B]

Lee English Z-scale.