Wheels

Mike,

There are a few links for re-powering a KM not much on new wheels. Here is all I found

http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=329&SearchTerms=krauss,maffei​

​Regards, and good luck - John ******************************

I've found that prayers work best when you have big players. <>  Knute Rockne 

We had some similar issues

We had some similar issues with old stuff on the club layout. One of our more clever modelers used a large flat file (he borrowed from me) to turn down the powered wheels with loco power. I believe the others were removed and placed in a drill and turned down so the pizza cutters were greatly diminished. I did not get to see the operation but did see the engine running very nicely after he was done.

My first check for wheels would be Bowser an MRH advertiser and after them it would be North West Short line.

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Be careful and go slow, the centers are plastic and if they heat up too much they'll warp.  The metal is also thin in places.  If you try, be prepared to pick up another off ebay for replacement wheels, in the event you screw up.  But it's worth trying if you like the looks and they ran well.

KM Wheels

Thanks guys. Been all over the internet. Hadn't specifically tried Bowser or NWS. Will go there NOW.

Again, thanks. Will let you know

Mike

Rio Norte Line

File and patience

I have very successfully "turned" flanges down using just a large flat file and a little patience.  I remove the wheels from the model and then work the file over the flange by hand.  Keep rotating the wheel and always move the file in a curved path, and you'll have a pretty good flange in no time, for no money, and without the risk of damaging the model.  Remember that the flange does not have to be exactly circular, as long as it's close.  It just needs to be at least deep enough to keep the wheels on the rail, and not so deep that it hits the ties and/or spikes.

You can turn the flanges down on the model, using the motor itself to rotate the wheels.  I've done it, but I don't like it and don't recommend it.  There are three risks.  First, you can overload, overheat, and damage/destroy the motor.  Second, you can overheat plastic parts in the wheels and warp things.  Third, you can get metal filings into the mechanism where they will not do your model any good.