[ljg]

N scale: Can one use Kato metal wheels in MTL trucks, and if so, what sort of stock/locos might this be done. Just changed a few Kato couplers to MTL couplers, and, as a complete novice to the entire hobby, am curious. Kato wheels look larger.

 

[Old_Hobo]

Well, there are 2 different wheel sizes…33” and 36”…..generally, 33” on older rolling stock, and 36” on passenger cars and more modern heavy cars (grain and coal hoppers, tank cars, etc)….

There should be sizes on the packages….

 

[Viperjim1]

If your referring to axle length, there may be a difference as atlas and rivirossi are different lengths than bachmann and mt’s you can look on mt’s website as I believe they are .543 width. Could be wrong. But some may swim in a truck axle points and some may be to tight and not roll.

 

[pmcgurin]

Don't they all swim on the same track width? Same distance between tracks or do different makers vary?

 

[JeffHurl]

Yes, there are differences in axle length in addition to the diameter of the wheels. Although, the diameter of the wheels is just a cosmetic difference. The wrong axle length can cause problems.

Then, there are differences in flange height, but almost all currently produced wheels are short flanges (which is good, both aesthetically and functionally).

 

[JeffHurl]

Don't they all swim on the same track width? Same distance between tracks or do different makers vary?

Yes, the wheels are spaced the same, but the little pointy parts that hold the wheelset into the truck are longer on some makes than others. If you put longer axles in the shorter truck, they bind and don't turn easily.

IIRC, older Atlas cars use longer axles than currently produced MTL wheelsets.

 

[Old_Hobo]

Yes, there are differences in axle length in addition to the diameter of the wheels. Although, the diameter of the wheels is just a cosmetic difference. The wrong axle length can cause problems

Agreed. Wheel diameter difference in N scale is really not noticeable, but the incorrect axle length will cause operational problems, for sure….

 

[JeffHurl]

A while back, I was going through an exercise to replace wheels and trucks to improve my rolling stock.

Here is a link to that discussion. There is extraneous info in there, but you may find some meaningful information by reading through it.

Stack ranking my N gauge rolling stock.

Another link with specifics about axle lengths
Let's discuss trucks

 

[Viperjim1]

Thank you for clarifying that for me. I thought I explained it good enough but I guess not

 

[5kidsdad]

When in doubt measure the axles you just took out. Harbor Freight has decent micrometers reasonably priced. I now have a good collection of different axle lengths in my wheels bin.