33 " METAL WHEEL SETS
I first reviewed the Atlas metal 33" wheel sets on the Atlas Forum in late May 2004 and then on TrainBoard in December 2004.
Since my initial reviews in both forums in 2004, I've changed the wheel sets on over 700 freight cars.
I decided to change to metal wheel sets for the following reasons:
I am using DCC and need metal wheel sets, for block occupancy detection, feedback, reverse loops and signaling. I also wanted a product that would add some weight to the trucks for better tracking and increased rollability of the rolling stock.
I also become increasingly unhappy with the MT pizza cutters and lo-profile wheels. The plastic wheels easily pick pick up more grime from the track than do metal wheel sets.
I also like the sound of metal wheels on the track. To me it is a soothing sound and reminiscent of my earlier days with HO and O Scale layouts.
Here are my observations:
The metal wheel sets provide all the above criteria I mentioned for DCC and signaling.
For those of you who don't use DCC, the metal wheel sets provide increased weight in the truck area providing a better center of gravity and much improved tracking for the rolling stock.
The wheel sets also give you increased performance of each piece of rolling stock, which in turn increases the performance of locomotives on average by 15%. There is less friction on the track rails using the metal wheel sets. The % of increased performance of locomotives will vary from layout to layout.
The wheel sets that I tested ran true on all configurations of code 80 Unitrack. The wheel sets were tested on the long ascending and descending 2% grades of the JJJ&E with no derailments. The JJJ&E has #6 and #4 turnouts as well as double crossover and 30 degree crossovers. The radii ranged from 13 3/4 to 19inches. Kato Unitrack is code 80 rail.
There is a clickity-clack sound of the wheel sets a train moves along the track. Some might object to the sound of the wheels on the track, but I don't run the JJJ&E in silence. I also use sound decoders for steam and diesel sounds, but that is an entirely different topic.
There were no irregularities in the gauge of any of the Atlas wheel sets tested. The wheel sets must be properly engaged in the truck to prevent any irregularities in gauge. This is most important because if the wheels are improperly set in the truck, derailments will occur. Some N scale modelers have noticed a discrepancy in the wheel gauge of the Atlas 33" metal wheel sets. On over 500 cars, I didn't have problems with this on any of the wheel sets used. I must have been lucky in the run of wheel sets I received when I purchased lots on three separate occasions.
The metal wheel sets will definitely increase the pulling power of most locomotives by about15% on average. This includes both diesels and steamers. However, this percentage might vary for each user.
The metal wheel set can be weathered nicely using burnt umber, burnt sienna, grimy black and dust.
After over four years of using Atlas 33" metal wheel sets, I think I made a good choice. Most of the 33" metal wheel sets were used for MT trucks. You can also get Atlas 33" metal wheel sets for Atlas and Intermountain cars. One must be careful when ordering the metal wheel sets, as they must be installed on the correct trucks.
Since the initial review, Intermountain and Fox Valley Models have also released metal wheel sets for N scale equipment.
I haven't used any of the intermountain metal wheel sets to date and I can't comment on the Intermountain product.
Since Fox Valley Models came out with metal wheel sets in the last year, I started to use the FVM metal wheel sets on any new rolling stock on the JJJ&E. The FVM wheel sets look more prototypically correct than the Atlas metal wheel sets. I've converted about 200 freight cars using FVM metal wheel sets for MT trucks, Atlas Trucks and Intermountain trucks.
Fox Valley Model metal wheel sets come in three axle lengths; 0.540" axle, 0.553" axle and 0.56" axle.
The 0.540"axle is used on Micro Train trucks.
The 0.553" axle is used on Atlas trucks.
The 0.56" axle is used on some Atlas, Con-Cor and Bachmann trucks.
The FVM wheel sets come in 33" and 36" sizes.
Below are some photo's of the weathered Altas 33" metal wheel sets. (See Photo's 1 through 5)
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Give metal wheel sets a try. They are much better than the plastic wheel sets that come with most if not all of the rolling stock purchased today.
Stay cool and run steam..............................
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MICRO TRAINS Z SCALE # 905 COUPLERS
The MT Z scale # 905 is now an integral part of N scale railroading. This small Z scale coupler is more prototypically correct than the true N scale MT coupler.
First of all, The MT Z scale coupler can be very easily body mounted on all N scale rolling stock. I started to use the MT Z scale # 905 coupler several years ago on the front pilots of all the steam locomotives on the JJJ&E wherever possible and on the frames of all tenders, some diesels, and selective rolling stock. As time progressed, I found myself using The MT Z scale #905 coupler in more applications. The # 905 coupler isn't going to replace the traditional MT N scale coupler, but the Z scale #905 coupler has its place in N scale railroading in many situations.
The MT Z scale #905 coupler works very well on most diesels. In most cases the #905 coupler requires shimming to mate well with N scale coupler. To get the most accurate height for a Z scale coupler, the knuckle of the Z scale # 905 coupler must be centered in the middle of the knuckle of any N scale coupler. When proper centering of the Z scale coupler is accomplished, the # 905 coupler mates very well with traditional N scale knuckle couplers. The MT Z scale coupler holds up extremely well when coupled in a long string of cars. Despite its small size the MT Z scale coupler is a "workhorse" in the coupler world.
I'll show you several examples of the MT Z scale coupler in the photo's below.
I use the #905 Z scale coupler exclusively on tenders. The #905 body mounts easily on tender frames and looks very prototypical.
On a Kato Mikado tender (See Photo 1) I cut off the truck mounted Rapido coupler and replaced it with a MT Z scale #905 coupler, body mounting the coupler to the tender frame. I place a very tiny amount of CA cement on the tender frame and then center the coupler in position on the frame, After the CA cement is set up I tap a small hole in the frame and screw the coupler in position. The Coupler screws come with the Z scale coupler.
Photo 1
In Photo 2, we have an aerial view of the # 905 coupler mounted on the Mikado tender frame. This coupler easily replaces the Rapido coupler found on all Spectrum steam locomotives.
Photo 2
When buy MT Z scale # 905 couplers, make sure you buy them completely assembled. The unassembled version of the # 905 coupler is the # 903 coupler. Trying to assemble the # 903 coupler is an exercise in futility because of the very small component parts. If you intend to use the Z scale #905 coupler in many applications, the assembled version is the way to go.
In Photo 3, we easily see how the Z scale # 905 coupler easily mounts on an Atlas two truck Shay. Just unscrew the two Accumates on both ends of the Shay and install The Z scale # 905 coupler in the pocket. In this case no plastic shims were necessary. What a difference when you compare the N scale and Z scale couplers on the Atlas Shay side by side.
Photo 3
Before using the Z scale # 905 coupler on the front pilots of steam locomotives in N scale, we had to mount an MT # 1015 coupler inside a # 2004 coupler box or other arrangements similar to the one I just described. The results didn't look as prototypical as a Z scale coupler, but that was our only choice.
Look how a Southern Spectrum 2-8-0 looks with the #1015 coupler in a MT 2004 coupler box. Aside from having to do extensive surgery on the front pilot to get the # 2004 coupler to fit, the N scale coupler looks too large scale wise in relationship to the front pilot. (See Photo 4)
Photo 4
Now look at a MT Z scale coupler installed in a similar Spectrum 2-8-0. (See Photo 5)
Photo 5
Note: The Unitrack in Photo's 4 and 5 hasn't been completely ballasted when these photo's were taken.
Below is another photo ( See Photo 6) of a MT Z scale # 905 coupler body mounted on the tender of a MP 4-4-0 American.
Photo 6
In Photo 7 we can again compare two Walthers 0-8-0 steam locomotives. One is equipped with the factory installed N scale coupler. The adjacent steamer has a MT Z scale #905 coupler installed on the front pilot.
Photo 7
In Photo 8, a MT Z scale # 905 coupler was installed on the front pilot of the Walthers 0-8-0 switcher.
Photo 8
In conclusion, the MT Z scale # 905 coupler is a viable option when considering coupler choices in all N scale equipment. Not only do you have a more prototypical look, you also have a coupler that is strong enough to be included in long strings of cars.
You should give the MT Z scale # 905 coupler a try.
Stay cool and run steam.....