MG versus USH tender wheel material

[up148]

Last year I traded for a centipede coal tender for my MG FEF project as the one that came with my model was oil. Heck it might even be off a BB or Challenger as they are all very similar.

Messing with it just now, it appears to have plated brass tender wheels instead of steel, as I can see a slight brass tint on the treads. I sure thought my USH FEF tenders had steel wheels or at least steel tires.

So, if my assumption is correct and the MG tender came with plated wheels, does anyone have an idea where I can pick up the steel replacements?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

...........where I can pick up the steel replacements?

Not a lot of choices for new as far as I know other than IM (which are plated) or NWSL (and what those really are is unknown to me).

[up148]

Bob sent me a link for NWSL wheels that I ordered. Thanks to both of you.

[bob turner]

NWSL wheels are steel.

I know I am repeating myself, but I have found that steel or iron is the only material for O Scale wheels or drivers. Brass gathers crud, and die cast is worse. I have had brass wheels derail themselves due to crud thicker than the flange!

Mort and I did a study decades ago on Sunset driver traction - their locomotives had limited traction until the plating wore off, then, if the tires were steel, you got good traction.

I discovered that good cast iron on the hot side, and good iron pipe cut for the insulated tires, gave me the best traction by a huge margin.

I have not assembled my kit of 42" NWSL wheels, but will do so to add to this thread. They are similar to Raoul's design, but not blackened, and with very small diameter axle. I may have to sleeve the axles. They are definitely steel, but may be "Leadloy." That's ok.

[Jay Criswell]

I have a good supply of the the NWSL wheels, including their 42" version. The newer wheels are a stainless steel alloy that's very easy to machine. The treads they do now are far superior to the older NWSL wheels.

Sitting around here somewhere, are a bunch of 42" wheels from a Challenger that was imported by West Side/PSC. KTM model. I'll see what the wheels are made of.

Jay

[up148]

Hi Jay, I'd like to hear about those KTM 42" wheels. I would expect they are steel if produced for WS/PSC by KTM and I would still be interested.

[Jay Criswell]

Butch,

They are plated. Not steel.

Jay