They say metal wheels don't leave as much crud on the rails, like plastic does. All my N scale stuff at one time, had metal wheels. I found that I had less crud on the rails once I switched over to microtrain couplers and wheel sets, which are plastic. As far as I know, all my N scale track is nickel silver. There's no brass or steel rails.
Why so bloody complicated?? All you have to do is look at them--metal wheels are not jet black like plastic wheels are and if the axle is plastic, the wheels are generally metal. You could also use an ohm meter on a wheel--plastic wheels don't conduct. You could also give them a 'tap test' to evaluate the sound they make. Plastic wheels will sound dull.
I cannot tell by looking. I have seem plastic wheels which are brown colored to simulate rust. And if you paid attention the setup IS a crude ohm meter but you dont need three hands to keep the probes on the wheel, keep the wheel from spinning. And I dont trust my ears by tapping,
I have a number of metal wheels that are "jet black". but i do wire wheel them to be bright on the tread. but if the axle is plastic the wheels are cast on as one part, (set gauging). all plastic. at least i have not see any plastic axles with metal wheels. lots of metal axles with plastic wheels. but as to knowing what is what. i just use a foam cradle, and when i go through a car. i change out plastic for metal. and any car having any problem (or going down to be "inspected", for club usage) goes through my "shop". I do a complete service for all cars going through said shop.
kadee wheels are metal on plastic axle. At first, they look all plastic, but definately are metal wheels. I think they also have a coating that insulates initially, but quickly wears off leaving a silver tread. I have noticed that in winter at least, the metal wheels are cold to touch, while plastic wheels fel warm.
They say metal wheels don't leave as much crud on the rails, like plastic does.
All my N scale stuff at one time, had metal wheels. I found that I had less crud on the rails once I switched over to microtrain couplers and wheel sets, which are plastic.
As far as I know, all my N scale track is nickel silver. There's no brass or steel rails.
Metal wheels with kadess all the way
is there another way?
Why so bloody complicated?? All you have to do is look at them--metal wheels are not jet black like plastic wheels are and if the axle is plastic, the wheels are generally metal. You could also use an ohm meter on a wheel--plastic wheels don't conduct. You could also give them a 'tap test' to evaluate the sound they make. Plastic wheels will sound dull.
I cannot tell by looking. I have seem plastic wheels which are brown colored to simulate rust. And if you paid attention the setup IS a crude ohm meter but you dont need three hands to keep the probes on the wheel, keep the wheel from spinning. And I dont trust my ears by tapping,
I have a number of metal wheels that are "jet black". but i do wire wheel them to be bright on the tread. but if the axle is plastic the wheels are cast on as one part, (set gauging). all plastic. at least i have not see any plastic axles with metal wheels. lots of metal axles with plastic wheels.
but as to knowing what is what. i just use a foam cradle, and when i go through a car. i change out plastic for metal. and any car having any problem (or going down to be "inspected", for club usage) goes through my "shop".
I do a complete service for all cars going through said shop.
kadee wheels are metal on plastic axle. At first, they look all plastic, but definately are metal wheels. I think they also have a coating that insulates initially, but quickly wears off leaving a silver tread. I have noticed that in winter at least, the metal wheels are cold to touch, while plastic wheels fel warm.