Model Railroading >

My question is how is it determined what size wheel goes on a H.O scale car? Is there charts that start from real cars, car weight or gross weight that will be carried in them. I bought some rib side covered hoppers for a steal but with no wheels or trucks, so I could put either 28, 33 or 36" wheels but i'm guessing gross weight has something to do with it. So what decides which size wheel goes on a car...

Thanks for any help Steve



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 09:43 by hartrick24.

Passenger cars usually had 36" wheels...

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

28" wheels are normally only used for extra tall cars to gain a couple of inches of vertical clearance.
33" wheels would be the default wheel size for almost anything under 100 tons capacity.
36" wheels are pretty much standard for 100 ton cars.
125 ton four axle cars typically have 38" wheels.

Also keep in mind that multi unit intermodal such as double stack cars use 33" wheels on the outside ends of the first and last cars, but use 36" wheels on the trucks between the wells.

Posted from Android

28" wheels are also used on some spine cars - Athearn Impack car for example.
Not sure about Walthers and Bowser as they are too new for my modelling era.
cheers
Dave