Large Scale metal wheels ?

[Old Bandit]

Hello Gentlemen !

Just a question from a newbie :
All Bachmann Large Scale rolling stock is equipped with metal wheels.
But what kind of metal ?
Thanks for your help !
Great blog with lots of info.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Not sure of the metal, it has changed over the years.  The more correct statement would be is:
All Bachmann Large Scale rolling stock  "made after 2000"  is equipped with metal wheels.

Much of the rolling stock made before 2000 has plastic wheels.  If you are buying on Ebay, look carefully as there is much Bachmann rolling stock made before 2000 with plastic wheels out there.  Some sellers buy Bachmann Rolling stock with metal wheels, strip them off the car and replace them  with plastic wheels, then pass them off to unsuspecting buyers.

[Old Bandit]

Thanks for your help Loco Bill.
But the question remains the same : what kind of metal (steel, copper, brass...) ?

[veetwelve]

Not sure what they're made of, but I know they're non-magnetic, if that helps.  I've got some bright metal wheels on old passenger cars from the 90's, and some of the newer, dark wheels on a freight car... all non-magnetic.

Jay

[Old Bandit]

Thanks for your answer Jay !

[Barry BBT]

Embarrassingly, I know what the alloy is, but can't recall (old age syndrom).  But the specific alloy has about 30 grades of quality.  Bachmann started out with some very low grade and over the years beginning with the Shay and Tenth Annie locos have developed great detail parts with darkened parts and greater strength than the originals.  First lesson, the early metal wheels can't be soldered (nor any of the detail parts).

When I do recall this stuff, I will advise.  My old DOS machine is down, otherwise I know where to find it.

Barry