changing or upgrading to metal wheels

[doctorwayne]

I've read the same thing about John Allen that ocalicreek mentioned. If I recall, he wanted his cars to stay put on grades up to 2%. That sounds to stiff to me, but depending on your operating environment, it might make sense.

Matt

I have a few head-end cars, like the one picture below, made from old Athearn Pullmans. They have their original metal trucks, with plastic wheels on steel axles. I just now set one on the 2.8% grade to the lower level of the layout, and it surprised me by rolling downgrade. However, after travelling about 8', it slowed as it got into the 34" radius curve at the end of the peninsula, and eventually stopped.


Most of my rolling stock exceeds NMRA weight recommendations, although I've lightened many from what they were previously. I had some passenger cars at 15 ounces, but reduced that due to concern about wearing through the journals. They did roll with some authority, though.

Wayne