Lima 12 wheeler

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Peter Healey - 25 May 2004 11:05 GMT

I recently purchased a second hand Lima HO scale carriage and whilst running
it through some points I it derailed. On closer inspection I noticed that
some of the wheels were out of spec. My question is, is there a tool
(vice,puller,etc) that I can use to correct the wheel alignment to the HO
scale specs.Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards Peter.

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William Whale - 25 May 2004 14:14 GMT

Exactly the same thing happened to a member "down at the club" just last
Sat. He was trying out some recently purchased English coaches. Of the 4,
two of them literally fell into the space between the tracks at the first
set of points they came to. That was where the the rail has been rebated to
accommodate the moving blades of the points. As well, they were riding up on
the check rail. A classic case of wheelsets "back-to-back" being grossly
under gauge.

A quick comparison with the "good runners" showed the wheelsets being about
1 mm under gauge. They were removed from the bogies and while holding one
wheel firmly, the other was gently and minimally rotated whilst exerting a
pulling force along the axle. They were then run through the points to make
sure they hadnt been overcorrected, found to be satisfactory and refitted to
the bogies. The coaches then ran perfectly through the many points on our
new layout for the rest of the afternoon.

While use of a proper wheel gauge would be handy ( you might be able to buy
one from someone like Casula Hobbies or LLoyd's), I have many times had to
adjust wheelsets and tested them on a set of points at the checkrail. If you
get it so there is a bit of slop (sideways movement of the wheelset) at that
location, then it is pretty right.

This method can only be used on wheelsets where the wheels are pressed onto
a seperate axle. Some Hornby wheelsets have the wheeldiscs and axles
moulded in one piece and cant be adjusted, unless you move the flanged metal
tyre on the disc (not recommended). Solution in this case is to replace the
wheelsets.

In the case of our U Drive, in two places Shinohara points had been used. On
one the checkrail clearance was a bit tight and Hornby stuff always gave us
a hard time at that point, often despite replacing wheelsets. After Peco
points were fitted, it runs perfectly.

Something else to consider: if your 6 wheel coach bogies are giving you
trouble, make them into 4 wheel bogies by removing the centre wheelset. Try
it. Without looking REALLY closely, see if you can tell if the centre axle
is or isnt there when you put the coach back on the track (I can here the
purists screaming from here!).

....................................Bill
--
"I have not said this. I am not here". -The Navigator

> I recently purchased a second hand Lima HO scale carriage and whilst running
> it through some points I it derailed. On closer inspection I noticed that
> some of the wheels were out of spec. My question is, is there a tool
> (vice,puller,etc) that I can use to correct the wheel alignment to the HO
> scale specs.Any advice would be appreciated.
> Regards Peter.

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TRC - 26 May 2004 01:33 GMT

Bill has covered the subject quite well in his reply but I would reinforce
the need for the gauge as it also tests the track width, flangeways on
points, tyre width as well as wheel gauge.
The mark IV version of the NMRA gauge also measures coupler height.
All in all an invaluable tool that you should have.
Available from Lloyds (NMRA: HO Standards Gauge Mark 4) for $19.95
http://www.lloydsmodelrail.com.au/

Signature

Cheers
Terry C

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Alan McKenna - 26 May 2004 14:59 GMT

Hi Guys
While at Lloyd's, see if he has a North West Short Lines "Puller". This is
a very handy gadget specifically for adjusting wheelsets and gears etc,
either in or out, using a hand screw to press the wheel slowly on the axle
in a safe, controlled way. It can often be used to true up wheels that are
at an angle to the axle. There is an optional screw with a hollow coned end
which is needed to push pin-point axles. But don't forget the NMRA gauge.
Alan Mac :o)

> Bill has covered the subject quite well in his reply but I would reinforce
> the need for the gauge as it also tests the track width, flangeways on
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Cheers
> Terry C

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Terry Flynn - 28 May 2004 04:37 GMT

> Bill has covered the subject quite well in his reply but I would reinforce
> the need for the gauge as it also tests the track width, flangeways on
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > scale specs.Any advice would be appreciated.
> > Regards Peter.

The NMRA gauge has limited use. The Wheel back to back minimum is useful,
the rest including the track gauge should be ignored. There is not one brand
of RTR track on the market that complies with the NMRA HO standard. Most RTR
track and wheels use a check gauge of 15.2mm. HO track gauge can vary allot,
well under the minimum NMRA value of 16.5mm. HO track can vary from 16.2mm
to 16.8mm, depending on the minimum radius used and wheel base of
locomotives. Today most HO NSW steam locomotives have narrower wheels
compared to the NMRA standard. They work OK through track RTR track.
Typical RTR flange way gap is 1.4mm. It's pointless complying with a
standard that is not used by RTR track manufacturers. Steam Era wheels often
need the check gauge adjusted in order not to pick at the crossing V. This
is the result of following an out of date standard.

Thus use the NMRA gauge to set the wheel back to back. The other use for the

NMRA gauge is scraping plaster and ballast from out of flangeways.

Signature

Terry Flynn

For HO scale track standards go to
http://angelfire.com/clone/rail/index.html
also includes details of HO wagon weight and locomotive tractive effort
estimates

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / May 2004

Lima 12 wheeler