Dhu Varren

Hi Kevin, Despite having only just joined Irish Railway Modeller, I have been railway modelling for more years that I care to remember. I have a DCC layout partly using Peco Code 75 track. The only wheels that give any problems on my Code 75 track are ones that are more than more than about 20 years old, such as early Lima 'Pizza Cutter' wheels with very coarse flanges, the later ones with finer flanges are fine. Having said that, the older ones will run OK, they just run along the tops of the sleepers and make a noise like a derailed wheelset. In my case, this part of the layout is quite slow speed, and with sound fitted diesels, the noise from the wheels is not too noticeable, so I can live with it until I get round to replacing them. Early Hornby moulded plastic wheels with or without metal tyres can be a problem with inconsistent back to back measurements, but more modern wheels should not be a problem. Dapol, Bachmann and anything else produced in the last 20 years should be fine. It is just a case of 'suck it and see'. A good investment is a 'back to back' gauge. Even with new wheels there can be inconsistencies with back to back measurements. I always check new wheels before fitting. If it is necessary to replace wheels, there are good replacements available from Bachmann, and a number of smaller manufacturers, such as Markits and Gibson, but they tend to be a bit more expensive. Hornby also do replacement wheels, which are reasonably priced, but I am not so keen on them, due to their odd tyre profile. My preference is the old Jackson/Romford range, which now comes under the Markits banner. If rewheeling, it is worth remembering that Lima vehicles use a shorter, approx 24.5mm axle, as opposed to the normal approx 25.75mm axle that everyone else uses, although I believe some smaller manufacturers offer their wheels with different length axles. I personally just reuse the original Lima axles with new wheels, although it can sometimes be a challenge to remove the Lima wheels from the axles. I hope this info is of some help. David