Micro Trains passenger wheels

[trainforfun]

Hi
I would like to swap the Micro Trains passengers wheels to metal , which one should I get to fit the diameter and axles lenght ?
Thanks

[oakcreekco]

The MTL "Heavyweight" passenger cars have 36" diameter wheels.

Axle length is .538 on the MTL website.

[trainforfun]

Thanks , do you know which supplier does replacement wheels/axles for these ?

[Missaberoad]

Any wheels with a .540 axle length

Eastern Seabord Models makes wheels that match the old BLMA profile.

https://www.esmc.com/extra/instr/9200/9200chart.html#wt920200

[trainforfun]

Thanks!!

[mmagliaro]

scaletrains.com is also now selling the former Fox Valley wheelsets and they show the 36" .540" in stock on their site.

[trainforfun]

scaletrains.com is also now selling the former Fox Valley wheelsets and they show the 36" .540" in stock on their site.

Thanks will check that .

[trainforfun]

Bought both type .

I received the ESM one , they fit a bit tight lenght wise , they don't like curve at all on a 3 axles MT truck , the thread is small so the lenght of the truck is pushing one of the end axle out of the curve , this curve is 17" radius

Will see when the other type arrive ( FVM )

I had big hope , the MT cars would track better for a little bit more weight at trucks level .

 

[bbussey]

The ESM wheels spin freely unless you ordered the wrong axle length. What is the item# of the wheels you received?

[thomasjmdavis]

Bought both type .

I received the ESM one , they fit a bit tight lenght wise , they don't like curve at all on a 3 axles MT truck , the thread is small so the lenght of the truck is pushing one of the end axle out of the curve , this curve is 17" radius

Will see when the other type arrive ( FVM )

I had big hope , the MT cars would track better for a little bit more weight at trucks level .

 

I am surprised you are having tracking issues with the MTL cars. Even more surprised you are having problems after installing ESM wheels.

You've probably already looked at all of the following, and they've all been discussed on Railwire before, but I'm listing some things I've found on my own layouts over the years that have caused derailing issues generally, or things that have caused issues with MTL cars.

What gauge and brand of track are you using?  Is the derailing issue true for all your MTL passenger cars, or just one? Does it derail when run by itself, or is it running at the front of a 10 car train? On my last layout, I ran my MTL cars on 15" radius Micro Engineering flex without any issues (4 or 5 car trains).  If run with cars with truck mounted couplers, the MTL may derail on curves, due to the body mount on the MTL not playing well with truck mounted couplers.

On some cars, the pin that holds the coupler is too tight- the coupler should be able to move a little.  If mounted too  stiffly, this can cause issues as well, especially when mixed with other brand cars, different lengths, and/or cars with truck mounted couplers. If this is the problem, the pin can be loosened a tlny bit until the coupler can rotate left and right.

The other thing to look for is any possible obstruction that hinders the free swing of the trucks.

[peteski]

Louis, if you want an easy fix, just remove the center wheelset and use those trucks as 2-axle trucks.  But it would be good to figure out that is causing the problem.

Have you tried removing the truck from the car and gently pushing the truck (with the new wheelsets installed) alone through that curve and observe how it tracks?

[trainforfun]

Louis, if you want an easy fix, just remove the center wheelset and use those trucks as 2-axle trucks.  But it would be good to figure out that is causing the problem.

Have you tried removing the truck from the car and gently pushing the truck (with the new wheelsets installed) alone through that curve and observe how it tracks?

Will try the truck alone to see .
The wheels I bought are 36" x 0.540" by ESM # 920200
I am waiting for the FVM , will see

They were not rolling bad but I wanted metal wheels for maybe future lights and also to add weight to the bottom of the car , all these cars have body mounted couplers .
I checked the gauge they are ok .
I have to inspect if they rub to the underside of the car but they are supposed to be the same size .

[trainforfun]

Ok tested a truck alone and it's free rolling and in curve it didn't pushed an axle out . Must be rubbing under the car somewhere .
Will do more tests

[peteski]

The metal wheels should not need any more clearance than the original plastic MTL wheels. I believe those 3-axle trucks have an offset bolster hole.  Is it possible that you have installed them on the car reversed?

[bbussey]

The metal wheels should not need any more clearance than the original plastic MTL wheels. I believe those 3-axle trucks have an offset bolster hole.  Is it possible that you have installed them on the car reversed?

Agreed, sounds as if the trucks were mounted backwards.