broken gear, trouble taking wheels off

[carloscordova]

Hi all;
How do you take apart the wheels that are protecting the gear? (pic)
I have a North Star express that needs some repair; trying to see if I can make it work.
thanks

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Hi Carlos,  One method I use is to set the axle on its side on a block of wood.  Then I place a long nose pliers in the inside of the wheel and then apply downward pressure on both ends of the pliers till the wheel slides off the axle. 

Give it a try.

Loco Bill

[Fred2179]

till the wheel slides off the axle. 

Bill, with the brass bearings on the axles, that might be the later type with screws behind the plastic wheel insert? I can't tell.

How do you take apart the wheels that are protecting the gear?

If the wheels are press-fit on the axles, then my usual method is to open the jaws of my vice so I can slide the axle in between, and rest one wheel on the jaws, with the other hanging down.  Then put pliers on the back of the hanging down wheel, and tap the pliers with a hammer.

If, on the other hand, those are slightly later style wheels with the brass bearings fitting over the wheel hub, then you look behind the wheel at the counter weight molded in to the face of the wheel. Push it with a screwdriver and the whole front of the wheel will come off. You will then see a screw holding the wheel to the axle.