A great article! Thanks

A great article! Thanks Tony!

I think that I love to detail my models maybe exactly after prototypes however here I find a lot of additional information and hints for adding a bit more "reality" to my models.
I think that I will set a link on my website showing this article also to modelers in later times.

This article should be part of a future "Cyclopedia for Prototypical Modeling"!

WOW!

I learned a lot, and love the idea of modeling wheel replacement. Thanks Tony!

Great article, lots of very

Great article, lots of very nice info and wonderful documentation. I have been using the code 88 wheels for a long time and can say they work in a most excellent manner. It has now gotten to the point that the one of the guys in the club has suggested not using my cars to test track because they go through defective track with out derailing where others will. I really liked the comment about true to prototype treads being .65 or something like that really puts the code 88s in perspective and the code 110 wheels we live with on models that are standard equipment.

Those wire springs

This article has been needed for a long time, and I am glad Tony Thompson has done such a fine job- there is no need for me to list all the useful features of this piece.

Tony addresses a point that has annoyed me for many years- We need more realistic truck springs than the skinny wire coils being used.

 In today's world of miracle plastics I am surprised no one has replaced the skinny springs with  thicker and more realistic plastic coils that would still permit equalization.

(equalization referred to as "wheel load equalization" on prototype trains is a truck's ability to traverse uneven trackage where one wheel is raised or lowered relative to the other wheels.)

I will be keeping this issue handy especially because I expect to use this article as a reference frequently. 

Victor Roseman

This is what I'm talking about!

Absolutely great!  The length of the article, the detail, the pictures both prototye and model, the time and effort that went into this are really appreciated!  Articles like this are what makes this the best model rail magazine there is.

Bart

thorough

Excellent illustrations, both prototype and model....and clearly written !  

Modeling scenes showing people at work is good.   

subway wheel shop:  http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/showpix?nsta=3255

1904 motor truck detail:   http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?17599

Scenes that could be fun to model:

http://www.hulcher.com/contractor-services/railroad-mechanical/traction-motor-changes-wheel-changes.asp

How much time did it take?

How much time did it take a crew to replace a wheel set under a typical freight car?

Wheels

A great article which clearly presents useful information.  The prototype and modeling aspects are well related.

The word 'code' used for model wheel tread width appears in NMRA Standard 4.2 and so is well defined and appropriate.  Northwest Short line offers a wide array of wheels (including codes 88 and 64) and axles which aid  modeling open wheelsets.    

When I install Reboxx code 88 wheelsets in various brands of trucks I see a wide gap between the wheel face and the back of the side frame.  Does this gap indicate that the model truck bolsters are too long?    Dick Bradley

Bolsters

Yes, the bolster is too long. They are spaced to accommodate the wider Code 110 wheel treads, so when a Code 88 is used, there is .022 of extra clearance in the package -- making the sideframe stand out .011 more than it needs to be on each side of the car.  Atlas and Athearn used correctly spaced side frames on the trucks they produced with .088" wheels. In the photo, a .110 wheelset is on the left and an .088 wheelset is on the right. The flanges line up for standard 16.5 mm HO track.

Regarding wheel and truck change times, here's the UP way in the 1970s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdJow6ye0Ys

Prototype truck & wheels

Very easy article to follow along.  Great photos too.