Red Caboose Low Profile Wheels

nolatron

Member
Hi folks,

I nabbed a Red Caboose auto rack off ebay and it arrived today. It looks fantastic. Unfortunately, the wheels are too large for Code 55 track. It's riding on the ties.

So, I need to replace the wheels with some low-profile flange wheels, but this is an area I've yet to get into.

Any advice on what exactly I should be looking for? Are wheels typically universal, like if I buy a lot of a particular low-profile set, I'll be able to use them on pretty much any rolling stock I have/buy?

Thinking I may wanna go with some metal wheels too for block detection purposes.

Thanks for any tips.
 

eightyeightfan1

Now I'm AMP'd
You could try the Micro-Trains Low profile wheel set.
Here's the Walthers number without couplers:489-302035. With long shank couplers:489-302034. If your rolling stock comes with body mounts, buying lots of these can be used on almost anything you have, maybe a little mod to the bolster, but can be used.(I know converting Bachmanns rolling stock to MT's meant shaving some off the sides of the bolsters)
 

Triplex

Active Member
Any advice on what exactly I should be looking for? Are wheels typically universal, like if I buy a lot of a particular low-profile set, I'll be able to use them on pretty much any rolling stock I have/buy?
Not all wheels are the same size. 33" and 36" are the common sizes. This is made more confusing because model equipment sometimes comes with the wrong size wheels in the first place...!

Also, different brands of truck have different sideframe designs, sometimes requiring different lengths of axle.
 

woodone

Member
I would replace them with metal wheels. I would give you a part# but I don't have one handy. BTW there are different axel lenghts- so you need to get the correct ones or the wheel sets will not fit.:confused:
I will research the part number and post later- hope you can wait.:eek:
The metal wheels will lower the center of gravity and roll better than the plastic ones, helps keep the rails clean too. :thumb:
 

diesel

New Member
Not all wheels are the same size. 33" and 36" are the common sizes. This is made more confusing because model equipment sometimes comes with the wrong size wheels in the first place...!

Also, different brands of truck have different sideframe designs, sometimes requiring different lengths of axle.

YUP! Proto 2000 axels especially. I tried to put those in Walthers RD 4s and they were too long. So, after spending $100 on axels I had opened, the resolution I got from Walthers was to grid off about 1mm from each point of the axel. THEN they fit.

As far as for code 55, wow, we only go down to code 70 for the sidings so I don't know about that.

EDIT: didn't realize this was N gauge! Probably still true for the axels though!

Dan
 

woodone

Member
try intermountain--they have 33 and 36 inch wheels in different axle lengths to fit most of the truck out there in N scale.
 
I have had great luck with Fox Valley Models low pro metal wheelsets. The wheel face has a very realistic profile and the wheelsets are made to fit specific cars. FVM wheels are by far the most realistic I have seen for N scale. Here's a photo of FVM's next to Atlas low pro's.

ATLTruck-589x416.jpg


FVM Link

Eric
 
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