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Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno shows how to adjust wheelset gauge.
How to adjust wheelset gauge
By Angela Cotey | October 20, 2013
| Last updated on December 8, 2020
One side of the wheel set has a plastic insulator that moves on the axle when you adjust them. I install the wheels with the plastic to the left to keep them on the same side to keep the trucks straight.
Cody, did you twist it a certain direction or does it not matter?
Good info, will help me.
How about drive wheels on steam locomotives
I don't know much about using an nmra gauge, but how could you change the wheelsets if they are incorrect on a diesel loco?
how about wheelset gauge on locomotives
Symetrical centering of the wheels on an axle is very important. Wheels may be in-gauge per axle but an offset in wheel centering from axle-to-axle on a truck can cause the wheelset to "climb" the rail. Different manufacturers have slightly different axel lengths for their particular side-frames. Mixing differing manufacturer's wheelsets in the same pair of sideframes can also cause "climbing" and excessive vibration/wobble.
Mr. Fornier has asked a very important question here which remains unanswered. Are there any MR staff or visitors who can answer? Is there a tool that can be used to maintain wheel to axle relationship when adjusting wheelsets?
One item not mentioned is wheel to axel relation. The NMRA gage covers wheel to wheel. But what of the wheel to axel ? Is there such a thing as a standard wheel flange or edge to axel tip measurement ?
Well done!
Very informative and I hope the same technique works for N-scale.