Replacing N-scale rolling stock wheels

In this video, I show how to replace the plastic wheels on Micro-Trains rolling stock with 33" diameter 0.540" axle length metal wheels from Eastern Seaboard Models. These replacement wheels run so much smoother on code 55 track, and are great upgrades to your cars.
Not a sponsor or paid advertisement, but I've purchased all my wheels from Mike at www.fiferhobby...

[@johnbanicki7232]

I have an HO scale layout. And all of my rolling stock gets metal wheels, Kadee couplers and weighted to NMRA standards before it goes on the layout. Micro Mark makes a tool called the 'Truck tuner" that I use before installing the metal wheels. Makes everything run so much smoother. Thanks for sharing.

[@gncascadedivision]

Kadee couplers are definitely the way to go for HO. I'm starting to explore weighting cars, and have a small digital scale that will work for N scale cars. The wheels are what's made a huge difference on the low profile code 55 track though. Iain

[@N-Scale]

Thanks for the shout out buddy !!!

[@gncascadedivision]

No problem! I'll be ordering more again soon 😂

[@keithlyons7385]

The early generation of Micro-Trains Low Profile wheels had a sharp profile on the inside of the flange. Those wheels are the cause of many derailments on my layout at home (code 55) and on our Club layouts, both Peco Code 80, as well as out T-TRAK Kato Code 80, especially when trying to back up a string of cars through turnouts. Changing out all the wheels with Eastern Seaboard wheels solved all of the derailment issues.

[@gncascadedivision]

Good to know, thanks! I've been very happy with the Eastern Seaboard wheels, especially going through turnouts and when reversing. Iain

[@TheyCallHimDietSeth]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been starting to convert some of my N scale fleet to metal wheels recently and just love the difference between even the low profile plastic wheel sets. I’ve mostly stuck with the FVM wheels but am looking forward to trying out the Eastern Seaboard Models sets!

[@gncascadedivision]

It does make a big difference! Some of the newer plastic wheels run fine, but a lot of my older rolling stock really saw a big improvement. Iain

[@Microbus]

I need to do this with my rolling stock, too.

[@gncascadedivision]

It makes a big difference on the lower profile code 55 rail. On code 80 track, it can help a little, too, but I've found everything runs so much nicer on my layout after replacing wheel sets. Iain

[@rogereldridge8233]

I've changed a few hundred cars already but had to get multiple length axels as not all cars were microtrains. I think I used Fox Valley as they offered all lengths needed.

[@gncascadedivision]

Yep, FVM and Intermountain all seem to have comparable wheels and in different axle lengths. Eastern Seaboard have a couple of different diameter wheels and axle lengths which work for me since almost everything I have that needs replacing is Micro-Trains trucks or Atlas. Iain

[@HenrikSweden1]

interesting video. I run n scale with a mix of cars with plastic wheels and metal ones. The only wheels i replace are the pizza cutter ones. Now the metal ones do sound nice but the plastic wheels by atlas and micro trains do roll fine on both code 55 and 80. So that money is used on something different than replacing wheels. Great looking but so expensive . But great video, thanks !

[@gncascadedivision]

Yep - like I said in the video, more modern plastic wheels are probably fine on the lower profile code 55 track. For example, pretty much all my Kato passenger cars are plastic wheels and have no problem. But, most of my freight cars are older Micro-Trains releases where the plastic wheels absolutely don't run well on code 55. In some cases, they included lower profile plastic wheels that work okay for now and I'm not going to spend the money to replace them, but otherwise most of the older plastic wheels need replacing to run well. Iain

[@Vman7757]

Thanks for sharing. Do you body mount your couplers on your cars?

[@gncascadedivision]

Most of the rolling stock has pre-mounted couplers that are part of the trucks. I don't intend to replace them. I do have some passenger cars where the trucks are mounted to the cars rather than the trucks though. Iain

[@bertusduiverman4743]

Hiya, Iain: Wouldn't it be easier to add some wight to these cars rather than spendding a lot of time replacing the wheels?

[@gncascadedivision]

Adding weights is a little different, and I'll do a follow-up video on. That can help a little with how rolling stock, well, rolls, but it wouldn't improve things if the wheels are simply too big for lower profile code 55 rail. Iain

[@michaellee9975]

A most tedious and frustrating thing to do.

[@gncascadedivision]

It is, but the rolling stock runs so much better afterwards! I do it in batches to keep the cost and boredom at a minimum. Iain