wheel size

[rookie]

What size wheel do i need to get to replace a bent wheel on my Emd bachmann loco? It's the Mckinley Alaskan Exployer model. I think some are 33 and some are 36 for freight and passenger? Are all ho engines the same on the wheels? thanks, david

[ABC]

Contacting Bachmann Parts & Service for the replacement part, each locomotive is unique for the most part and wheels intended for use with freight or passenger cars will not work for many reasons, the first one that you would notice is that they won't fit, but that is besides the point. Unless it bent due to manufacturer defect, (which is not probable) unfortunately the parts will not be free.

[Jim Banner]

Many locomotives use 42 inch wheels.  If you want to know the exact size used on an H0 model, measure the diameter of the tread.  (The tread is the part of the wheel that rides on top of the rails.)  If you can, borrow a micrometer or digital caliper for this job.  Multiply the measured diameter by 87.1 to get the equivalent real world diameter of the wheel.

Yes, freight cars usually use 33 inch wheels and passenger cars usually use 36 inch wheels.  But there are variations.  For example, cylindrical hoppers use 36 inch wheels.

If all you want to do is replace a bent wheel, contact the Bachmann service department and they will be able to figure out exactly what you need.  Most likely they will supply the whole assembly - two wheels and a gear on an axle.  If so, save your old unbent wheel as a spare in case you bend another wheel.

Jim

[OldTimer]

I guess I'm overly curious, but I have to ask:  How did you bend a wheel?

[rookie]

Well, from your moniker i suppose this could be from one old timer to another. You see, i have flying ho trains and here is what happened. It was right in the middle of a flying leap that........ Just kidding! I dropped my engine and of all the dumb luck it hit on the 2x4 table supports. Apparently it hit right smack dab on the wheel and bent one of them. Probably wouldn't happen just like that again but it did this time. thanks for the advice, david