Atlas rerun of BLMA trucks!

[turbowhiz]

I only see two Atlas BLMA trucks on the Lombard website (ASF A-3 70 ton w/ 33" wheels and ASF Ride Control 70 ton w/ 33" wheels).  What is the third version?

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=53905.0;last_msg=739394

There is also a 100 Ton version, with 36" wheels. Not showing now though... Presumably sold out (for now at least).

I’m a big fan of the ESM wheelsets, they’re definitely a quality product. I have put well over 100 wheelsets into service and they’ve been consistently decent, and in general better then many of the other N scale metal wheelsets I’ve come across. I’ve used both the 33” and the 36” versions.

I do wish the tread was narrower though. They’re pretty wide, noticeably wider than the BLMA wheelsets found on the at least the 100 ton trucks mentioned in this thread. It would be very nice to see a narrower tread akin to the BLMA wheels on the ESM wheelsets.

I’ve also found the ESM wheels pretty consistently slightly under gauge too… They're either not fitting or on the inner limit of my NMRA gauge. I don’t know if its an issue with the batch I have, since they were mostly bought all at the same time, but I’m mentioning it as it’s been my experience. I’ve been able to sort them by pulling them apart by hand, which is working the insulated wheel only. I’ve not come up with a good way to move the axle in solid wheel, open to suggestions as to how to do that? The issue is sometimes I’ve found that although now in gauge, since only the insulated wheel is moved, the axle is no longer centered precisely.

[nkalanaga]

Ed:  Yes, ESM also makes 36 inch wheels with 0.540 inch axles, and I have a bunch of them as well.

[bbussey]

There is also a 100 Ton version, with 36" wheels. Not showing now though... Presumably sold out (for now at least).

I’m a big fan of the ESM wheelsets, they’re definitely a quality product. I have put well over 100 wheelsets into service and they’ve been consistently decent, and in general better then many of the other N scale metal wheelsets I’ve come across. I’ve used both the 33” and the 36” versions.

I do wish the tread was narrower though. They’re pretty wide, noticeably wider than the BLMA wheelsets found on the at least the 100 ton trucks mentioned in this thread. It would be very nice to see a narrower tread akin to the BLMA wheels on the ESM wheelsets.

I’ve also found the ESM wheels pretty consistently slightly under gauge too… They're either not fitting or on the inner limit of my NMRA gauge. I don’t know if its an issue with the batch I have, since they were mostly bought all at the same time, but I’m mentioning it as it’s been my experience. I’ve been able to sort them by pulling them apart by hand, which is working the insulated wheel only. I’ve not come up with a good way to move the axle in solid wheel, open to suggestions as to how to do that? The issue is sometimes I’ve found that although now in gauge, since only the insulated wheel is moved, the axle is no longer centered precisely.

This is the first credible report I've seen of the wheels being out of gauge.  You can move the non-insulated wheel with a gear-puller such as the NWSL fixture.  I would recommend using the gear puller on the insulated wheel as well to protect the plastic insulation bearing.

The wheel tread width matches the FVM fine-scale wheel, and the current BLMA wheel.  The original BLMA wheels were very fine with smaller flanges.  Both were adjusted early on due to modelers with less-precise trackwork having issues with the wheels derailing or falling between stock rails and guard rails.  If you are referring to the "tire" thickness, the ESM wheel represents newly-cast wheels, while the BLMA wheel represents used wheels with wear and therefore a thinner "tire".  The wheel diameter though and wheel width of both brands are the same. 

I'll make note with the factory for extra diligence regarding the wheel gauge before the next batch is produced later this year.

[Chris333]

I just checked about 24 ESM 36" wheelsets I bought from MBK a couple months ago to use for HOn30 and none of them were out of gauge. I also haven't had any problems with them to make me check their gauge until now.

I do remember people having problems with the first BLMA gondolas because the wheels were too fine. They were a bit modern for me so I didn't have any.

There is always $20 bucks per set from NWSL and hope they don't wobble.

[peteski]

You can move the non-insulated wheel with a gear-puller such as the NWSL fixture.  I would recommend using the gear puller on the insulated wheel as well to protect the plastic insulation bearing.

To protect the pointed axle end I recommend placing piece of soft metal (aluminum) between the axle end and the plunger (ram or whatever it is called?) of the gear puller. That way the point will form a depression in aluminum protecting the pointy shape.

[sd45elect2000]

I have thousands of FVM wheels and recently switched to the ESM wheels because of availability. I have found that the FVM bulk packs usually had 2-3 wheels that were unusable either because of wobble or the wheels had come off the centers. The thousands of ESM wheels I have contained zero unusable wheels.

I am waiting for 33 inch wheels for a few Atlas USRA box cars. I usually body mount the couplers and install FVM wheels in the original Atlas trucks I think the axles are .553.

I am pleased with the ESM wheels, in fact I now prefer them. There was a lot of waste with the FVM wheels but Matt did replace them.

On a side note. I punch holes in the ESM wheel packages, put a cat treat in them and toss them on the floor. The cats will spend hours trying to get the treat out.

[turbowhiz]

This is the first credible report I've seen of the wheels being out of gauge.  You can move the non-insulated wheel with a gear-puller such as the NWSL fixture.  I would recommend using the gear puller on the insulated wheel as well to protect the plastic insulation bearing.

The wheel tread width matches the FVM fine-scale wheel, and the current BLMA wheel.  The original BLMA wheels were very fine with smaller flanges.  Both were adjusted early on due to modelers with less-precise trackwork having issues with the wheels derailing or falling between stock rails and guard rails.  If you are referring to the "tire" thickness, the ESM wheel represents newly-cast wheels, while the BLMA wheel represents used wheels with wear and therefore a thinner "tire".  The wheel diameter though and wheel width of both brands are the same. 

I'll make note with the factory for extra diligence regarding the wheel gauge before the next batch is produced later this year.

So, I did a little more digging:

The ESM 33” wheels are NOT the same profile as the 36” wheels. Looking at the supplied dimensions on the packaging, they ought to be, but they most certainly are not. As the case may be, I’ve been using a lot more 33” wheelsets then 36” wheelsets.

With respect to the 36” wheels, I checked every set in the pack of 12 I grabbed, and they were all in gauge. As well, they did match the tread profile of the BLMA wheelsets. Not only that, the tire thickness is looking right, in the line of a “brand new” wheel. All good on those!

The 33” wheels are where things seem to be off. These wheels are where I’ve had the gauge issues. The tread is distinctly wider than the 36” wheels. Presumably “out of spec” wider. I measure them as 1.7mm wide, from the wheel back to the front. The 36” wheels measure 1.6mm in the same dimension. The wheelsets are consistent mind you, its not like some are wider and some are not. That .1mm shows up in the tread, hence my previous comment about the wide tread width.

Additionally, the tire thickness of the 33” wheelset is awfully thick too. This has been commented on before, but I’ll highlight that the 36” wheelset tire thickness is not nearly as thick as the 33” wheelset. Its sort of tricky to accurately measure, but my rough number is .4mm on the 33” wheels and .3mm on the 36” wheels. They are visibly different, and I’m thinking that the 33” tire thickness is much too thick, even for a “brand new” wheel.
I’m not trying to complain about these, they’re great wheels, but it does seem that the 33” wheels might not be quite up to proper spec. At least in the examples I have.

(Attached Photos show the tire width difference clearly… The tread width difference is a little less distinct in the picture, the 33” wheel is polished…)

[ednadolski]

http://www.esmc.com/9200/Item9202.html

I just checked my stash and found out that I have some on hand.  I tried them in a ScaleTrains truck and they look a lot better (both flange and tread) than the stock ScaleTrains wheels, and they also seem to roll extremely well and true.   They are rather loose in the ST truck tho not quite falling out.... I suspect that is the truck, and I will try them in a few others.

Ed

[samusi01]

 I don't (yet) have

thousands of ESM wheels I have contained zero unusable wheels.

and I can't quite report the same zero issues (I have had one single bad one, don't recall the particulars) but ESM are the present standard for me. N Scale Supply sells eight twelve packs for a slight cost advantage and both 33 and 36 are on my purchase list.

[thomasjmdavis]

I am wondering about the original headline.  Has Atlas actually released a new run, or did Lombard Hobby just find a batch of BLMA trucks somewhere to put on sale?  The Atlas website, as of when I looked a couple days ago, was still showing BLMA trucks as "pre-order" (not delivered or in transit), and I don't see them listed in quantity anywhere else.  I know I was able to buy some last year from a hobby shop that still had "old stock".

[Sokramiketes]

So, I did a little more digging:

The ESM 33” wheels are NOT the same profile as the 36” wheels.

That one almost looks like an Intermountain wheel set.  Is the back of the wheel profiled?

[turbowhiz]

That one almost looks like an Intermountain wheel set.  Is the back of the wheel profiled?

Oh yes, it is certainly profiled. The rear profile matches exactly between the 33" and 36" ESM wheels. All of the ESM 33" wheelsets I have are consistent, with the same tire/tread/gauge situation. They were all bought from MBK, in a couple of orders in May and July of 2021.

[sp org div]

The ESM wheels seem to be of pretty good quality overall. Ive only bought the 33” wheels so far so cant compare to the 36” wheels on the particulars, but the only drawback I have on their 33” wheels is the crater face they have compared to the Fox or BLMA wheel. Thats only reason for getting so excited as OP

[turbowhiz]

The ESM wheels seem to be of pretty good quality overall. Ive only bought the 33” wheels so far so cant compare to the 36” wheels on the particulars, but the only drawback I have on their 33” wheels is the crater face they have compared to the Fox or BLMA wheel. Thats only reason for getting so excited as OP

Super appreciated!!! I loaded up on the 100 Ton version. They do (did?) have more stock then they have showed online.

[bbussey]

The ESM wheels seem to be of pretty good quality overall. Ive only bought the 33” wheels so far so cant compare to the 36” wheels on the particulars, but the only drawback I have on their 33” wheels is the crater face they have compared to the Fox or BLMA wheel. Thats only reason for getting so excited as OP

I have no idea what you’re talking about regarding “crater face.”  The face profile is nearly identical to the revised BLMA profile.