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Wendell Hanks
Conductor
1st Class Member
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 Posted - 18 Nov 2006 : 18:34:41
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Considering Raymond's clearly researched remedy for modifying MTH's track sliders on the large locomotives, would installation of LGB's ball bearing wheel sets on the tender also give the needed continuity with or w/out the sliders?
However, the appearance of those wheels may be the disadvantage.I have installed them on the tenders of all my mogul locos then wiring them into the loco's system. Likely those durable wheel sets have over 250 hours of running. A drop of LaBelle (any plastic compatible light oil) on the backside of the wheels to enter the bearings appears to help this longevity.
Another application that does not have the same appearance demands, is to use LGB's wheels on one of the ore or other cars for the MACK loco and wire it into the loco when the plating wears on Hartland's little gem loco's wheels. For the engine/loco connection, I use the same small connectors used in electric model car racing for their battery packs -- works great. A check into what the RR battery folk use as a loco/tender connection is worthwhile.
Hope this is helpful.
Wendell |
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Rayman4449
Engineer
USA
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Posted - 18 Nov 2006 : 22:09:45
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Wendell:
That is an excellent idea! The two axles on the front end of the tender should clearly allow easy installation of those wheelsets. I have a pair in an LGB caboose that when time allows, see how easy it is to install them.
To take that idea further, I think if you could match the wheel diameter size, you could replace four to six of the total axles on the GS-4s or Hudson. (I say four if you plan to install inside power pickups on the other two axles.) That would give excellent continuity and probably better power pickup than with the sliders.
I'll let you know if I end up trying to install them. |
Need a Non-MTH engine equipped with DCS Protosound 2? I can help.
 Raymond - Gardner, KS
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com
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W3NZL
Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 19 Nov 2006 : 04:41:54
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Wendell,
That system works quite well, the only drawback is the price of the
LGB wheel sets, nonetheless I've done just that on my heavily modified A-C mallet an its tender and canteen.. This results in 18
axle, or 36 wheel pick-up.. One these days I'll get around to
blacking the wheel rims..
Paul R...
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Jerry McColgan
Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 19 Nov 2006 : 07:05:57
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Hi Wendell,
I found that the LGB ball bearing wheels can affect my total appreciation for some rolling stock.
I've had several Aristo-Craft Long Steel Cabooses for years and while I liked them, I used them little - not quite understanding why.
Then I bought the MTH Challenger and found that I did not care for the prototypically correct MTH UP Caboose. Instead I preferred the Aristo Long Steel UP Caboose.
I ended up putting LGB Ball Bearing Wheels on the Aristo caboose and instantly fell in love with it.
I have since replaced all the wheels on all my Aristo Long Steel and Aristo Bobber Cabooses with LGB ball bearing wheels and I love the improvement.
Cabooses that had become "siding queens" are now being dusted off and run.
There was nothing wrong with them before. There is just something magical (for me anyway) in the appearance improvement with the LGB shiny wheels!
I tend to feel the same way about Aristo steam locos. I wish I could buy fancy (or at least white walled) drivers for Aristo steam locos. I'd probably buy a few of them if I could.
White tires are prototypical. Chrome may not be - but it sells me.
Cheers,
Jerry |
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Madman
Engineer
1st Class Member
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Posted - 19 Nov 2006 : 16:11:44
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| LGB does Not recommend lubricating their ball bearing wheels, period. |
Dan Padova
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Dan Pierce
Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 05:43:07
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If the ball bearing set rusts, then a slight drop of LGB oil will fix them. I have done this when necessary.
If the bearing siezes, then you must lube. |
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Rayman4449
Engineer
USA
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Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 17:40:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Rayman4449
Wendell:
That is an excellent idea! The two axles on the front end of the tender should clearly allow easy installation of those wheelsets. I have a pair in an LGB caboose that when time allows, see how easy it is to install them.
To take that idea further, I think if you could match the wheel diameter size, you could replace four to six of the total axles on the GS-4s or Hudson. (I say four if you plan to install inside power pickups on the other two axles.) That would give excellent continuity and probably better power pickup than with the sliders.
I'll let you know if I end up trying to install them.
Heck with the tender, you could install these suckers on the trailing truck! Hmmm... I'm going to have to rob the set off my LBG caboose and experiment. Hmmm.... elimination of the sliders may become a real posibility here!
Raymond |
Need a Non-MTH engine equipped with DCS Protosound 2? I can help.
Raymond - Gardner, KS
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com
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Wendell Hanks
Conductor
1st Class Member
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Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 22:08:18
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Rymond and other readers:
I'm pleased the idea is helpful. Perhaps MTH will incorporate the idea with their own product -- they offer ball-bearing pick-up wheels?
As to the oil, Madman is accurate, LGB would not suggest adding oil as my guess oil garners dirt. My guess continues in that LGB knows dirt would screw-up the bearing -- very little is all I use. Very little is not what the public would use. Now, here is my take: Use the light oil, use one/two drops. Apply it to the back of the wheel at the bearing access point. Wipe off the excess. Put some heavy oil -- nuts, light if that's all you have -- to the axle ends. Yes, they do rotate in the plastic truck ends.
Wendell |
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Rayman4449
Engineer
USA
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Posted - 20 Nov 2006 : 22:50:21
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I don't think MTH has a roller bearing power pickup axle assembly available. None of the products I've purchased have had anything with roller bearings. They lean towards the use inside wheel brush power pickups.
On the articulateds, if you replaced the trailing wheels with ball bearing pickups and the ones on the front two axle truck on the tender, there is no reason why you couldn't eliminate the sliders.  Great idea Wendell. 
Raymond |
Need a Non-MTH engine equipped with DCS Protosound 2? I can help.
Raymond - Gardner, KS
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com
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Steve Stockham
Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 21 Nov 2006 : 08:55:30
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I just finished off my Aristo C-16 C&S bash by replacing the Aristo wheels on the tender with LGB ball bearing w/power pick-up sets. Now the tender rolls free which it didn't do with those plunger pick-ups! The LGB wheels are a larger diameter than the Aristo ones but they look all right!
One small problem I discovered is that I have a Phoenix sound system installed in the tender with a reed switch activated by magnets attached to one of the tender axles. This necessitated leaving one of the wheel sets as non-ball bearing so I only have three sets of wheels that are picking up power (but it still is 50% more than I had before!) |
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Ward H
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 22 Nov 2006 : 20:47:05
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Hi All,
I was wondering why I see a lot of comments concerning the LGB BB wheel sets but hardly ever see the Aristo BB wheel sets mentioned. I know the Aristo BB wheel sets have power pick up points and thought the LGB ones did also.
I have been using the Aristo sets on all my rolling stock that have carbon brush power pick ups. I am very happy with them and will try the idea of using them on the C-16 tender.
I believe the Aristo wheels are much cheaper than LGB.
Are the LGB BB wheel sets that much better quality?? |
Regards,
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Jerry McColgan
Engineer
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 05:50:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Ward H
I believe the Aristo wheels are much cheaper than LGB.
I've never tried the Aristo ball bearing wheels but I much prefer the LGB regular metal wheels over any other brand. The regular LGB metal wheels are noticeably more expensive but when it comes to the ball bearing wheels there is little price difference from what I have seen.
Ball Bearing Wheel Sets, 2 pieces ; LGB Trains - LGB67403
Your Price: $25.29
Ball Bearing Wheelsets with Electrical Pickups 2-Pack , Silver ; Aristo Craft Trains Parts - ART29123B
Your Price: $23.52
I have a mixture of brands of metal wheels but I've gone exclusively with the LGB ball bearing wheel sets.
This is just my viewpoint. I have no experience running the Aristo ball bearing wheels.
One point worth considering is that LGB metal wheels are larger in diameter than Aristo metal wheels. That means a slight lowering in height of cars with Aristo wheels and also that it might be necessary to grind a bit off the Aristo plastic brakes to prevent LGB (or Bachmann) metal wheels from binding on them.
Jerry |
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Ward H
Foreman
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 06:32:26
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Hi Jerry,
Yep, I started checking price since I was going from memory and the Aristo's have gone up. I was paying around $21 for them last winter.
As far as the size goes, unless I am using the BB wheel sets, I have been switching over to the USA wheel sets because they are smaller diameter than Aristo, LGB, Etc. I like the fact that they lower the car a bit and the blackening is better. They also feel heavier.
I do have to nip off about an 1/8" off the brake shoes but that is easy enough to do. |
Regards,
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Chucks_Trains
Conductor
1st Class Member
USA
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Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 08:42:29
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Here's some wheelsets that Accucraft is supposed to come out with in the next few months...and in 1/32 or 1/20.3
http://www.amstrains.com/AM21101.htm |
Chuck
Edited by - Chucks_Trains on 23 Nov 2006 08:45:00 |
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Rayman4449
Engineer
USA
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Posted - 31 Dec 2006 : 11:42:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Chucks_Trains
Here's some wheelsets that Accucraft is supposed to come out with in the next few months...and in 1/32 or 1/20.3
http://www.amstrains.com/AM21101.htm
I was just out looking at the Accucraft link. It looks like the 1:20 scale wheels are about 1.2" in diameter and the 1:32 are about 1".
So how do they measure the diameter? I assume it's measuring where the wheel meets the rail and not the flange?
If it's where the tire meets the rail, then I think the 1:32 ones would work as perfect replacements for the MTH GS-4 trailing truck wheels.
I may get a set of these ordered pronto. Just need to find out who sells them. I'd like to buy and example of each ball bearing wheel set out there.
I know these below are available:
Accucraft
Aristocraft
LBG
Are there any others?
I don't think San Val has power pickup versions of their BB wheels.
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Need a Non-MTH engine equipped with DCS Protosound 2? I can help.
Raymond - Gardner, KS
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com
Edited by - Rayman4449 on 31 Dec 2006 12:43:23 |
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Rayman4449
Engineer
USA
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Posted - 31 Dec 2006 : 12:14:22
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Does anyone know what the Accucraft ball bearing wheels are selling for and who sells them?
I sent an inquiry to Ridgeroadstation for price and availability.
Also, does someone have measurements on the diameter for the Aristocraft Ball bearing wheel sets? (diameter being where the wheel meets the rail.) Trying to decide if they would work for the GS-4 also. In order to work, they would have to 1" or just a small bit larger than 1".
Also, I just measured the Challenger and Big Boy trailing truck wheels and they are 1 1/4" in diameter. Anyone know if any of the ballbearing wheelsets measure out to this diameter? In measuring the LGB ball bearing wheels, they measure just under 1 1/4" and just over 1 3/16" In a pinch I think these would work, although it would be nice to have a blacked set.
Raymond |
Need a Non-MTH engine equipped with DCS Protosound 2? I can help.
Raymond - Gardner, KS
http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com
Edited by - Rayman4449 on 31 Dec 2006 12:40:17 |
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