Arnold SW-1 Parts source?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Anyone know where to score some non traction tire wheelsets these days?

[johnb]

Anyone know where to score some non traction tire wheelsets these days?

I emailed them for a part 2 years ago and they acted like I was asking for the Ark of the Covenant.

[DKS]

Keep an eye out for a trashed one on feeBay for parts. May take a while, I know...

[peteski]

Limited number of those was made available right after the model was produced, but they quickly sold out.  I was lucky enough to get some for my locos.

Remember this post you made few years back? 
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=37191.msg581143#msg581143

Lengthy spare parts discussion was earlier in the same thread, starting with:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=37191.msg446715#msg446715
The discussion goes on and off for the next 2 pages.

Having mention all  that, maybe some more were made available? The part number for a pair of the wheelsets is HN2231/12.  Consists of one with, and one without TT.
If Hornby USA doesn't have any, try the European spare pasts site: http://arnold-ersatzteile.de

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks. I knew we talked about it way back when.

I knew I should've picked up a few spares when I had the chance.

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[johnb]

Thanks. I knew we talked about it way back when.

I knew I should've picked up a few spares when I had the chance.

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me too...if you get a crappy one, let me know

[tehachapifan]

Me three on wishing I picked up another one....especially when, IIRC, you could get them for insanely-low prices. That said, even with the traction tires, mine has surprisingly good pickup with a LokSound decoder installed to boot. I will admit, though, that it would be really hard to cannibalize the wheels off an otherwise-complete loco, rendering it basically useless afterwards.

[mmagliaro]

Going back to look at those other threads, it looks like the TT are on the NON insulated wheels on two of the wheelsets, and the axles are 1.5mm.   Does anybody know what the wheel tread diameter and width are?  If they are even close to a standard Atlas or Kato wheel, couldn't we just buy spare Kato diesel wheelsets, press the wheel off and press it onto the Arnold axle?  I mean, I know it's not "trivial" and the wheel might have to be bored out to 1.5mm, but it seems like this is a better approach than cannibalizing other Arnold engines or waiting for "never" to come when the parts are actually available.

I'd be happy to take a crack at this for you, Ed, if somebody can take dimensions of the Arnold wheel.

[wazzou]

I thought Arnold USA was no more, kaput, dead, finished?
If that's indeed the case, spare parts aren't likely.

[peteski]

I thought Arnold USA was no more, kaput, dead, finished?
If that's indeed the case, spare parts aren't likely.

Arnold is just a brand of Hornby. So you need to look for Hornby USA.  I thought they were still around, but I haven't checked lately.  That is why I posted the link to that German spare parts site.  I have used them in the past. Pricey, but they have parts for the old (and now the current) Arnold offerings.

[Rasputen]

I measure 0.247 in. diameter, .072 inch total width, with a tread of about .050 wide, on a 1.5mm shaft.

[tehachapifan]

While I can't recall the thread or specifics, I seem to recall there being a lengthy discussion on possible wheel alternatives with nothing identified as such. Could be wrong.

[johnb]

Me three on wishing I picked up another one....especially when, IIRC, you could get them for insanely-low prices. That said, even with the traction tires, mine has surprisingly good pickup with a LokSound decoder installed to boot. I will admit, though, that it would be really hard to cannibalize the wheels off an otherwise-complete loco, rendering it basically useless afterwards.

mine has crappy pickup, yet my VO-1000 will crawl anywhere

[MichaelWinicki]

mine has crappy pickup, yet my VO-1000 will crawl anywhere

I've got three of them... The pickup on two is lousy.  The 3rd is OK, but not equal of the Bachmann switchers I have, my Kato NW2 and my two VO-1000's, which are the two most reliable switchers I have. 

My Lifelike/Walthers SW8's (or whatever they are) aren't anything to write home about either when it comes to reliability.

[mmagliaro]

I measure 0.247 in. diameter, .072 inch total width, with a tread of about .050 wide, on a 1.5mm shaft.

I had some Kato SD40-2 wheels lying around (2nd generation).  They are pretty close.  0.253" diam, .065" total wid, tread is about .045".   I don't think anybody would notice a .006" different in diameter or a .007" difference in wheel width, especially on a diesel where the wheel is mostly hidden behind the sidframes.  I was able press the half-axle out of it pretty easily and drill the center hole to 1.45mm (I could go to 1.5, but if I were doing this, I'd try 1.45 first and see how the press-fit goes on the Arnold axle).  I'd have to really see them on an engine to see if they stand out as "different".  They have very fine flanges on them, and I don't think the SW-1 flanges are as small, so it might be noticeable.   Other diesels I have would probably be an ever better match - something a little older where the wheel width and flange height would be bigger than the modern Kato SD-40-2.