Wheel Puller conversion on RTR stock

[Mark DaviesParticipant]

Hi All,

I recently joined the forums as I would like to explore EM gauge. I am limited however on budget.

I have read on many websites that a conversion of RTR to EM on (new) stock can be done by using a wheel puller and maybe some cosmetic work for clearances on the inside of the loco body. I thought before I went too far I would check on a specialist site.

The loco in questions is one of the Bachmann Halls https://locoyard.com/2012/11/09/bachmann-gwr-49xx-hall-class-review/.
Does anybody have any experience this loco or similar? or can anybody give me a guide on how common a simple wheel pull conversion is or whether the majority do require more of a conversion.

All advice is welcomed.

Thanks

Chris

[Philip TattershallParticipant]

Hi Chris,

It’s a very tempting proposition but I don’t think it will work satisfactorily. There are two problems, the second more serious than the first.

1 You’ll need to pull out each driving wheel by about 1.2mm to increase the back-to-back from around 14.2mm to 16.5mm. That’s 1.2mm less of the wheel thickness that is still pressed on to the axle and any stress applied to the outside of the wheel is more likely to result in wobbles, i.e. the wheel/axle fixing will be less sturdy.

2 The thickness of a Bachmann flange (from a Jubilee 4-6-0) I’ve just measured at about 1mm and the dimension of the flangeway on EM pointwork is 1mm so the wheel just fits with no allowance for clearances/errors. I’ve just re-assembled a pair of the Jubilee wheels on an axle with a 16.5mm back-to-back and they sit very firmly on the track with no side-to-side movement and have to be dragged through a point. A loco fitted with these would not run satisfactorily on plain track, let alone through pointwork.

I don’t know what if any variation there is in Bachmann wheel profile between different models but I doubt whether you would find the Hall to be much if any better than my Jubilee.

Sorry that I don’t bring good news.

Phil Tattershall

[Dai DaviesParticipant]

I, or my friends, have pulled out the wheels of panniers , small prairies, Collet Goods and WD 280. All have been successful and been used on exhibition layouts over several years. Our philosophy has been to try this approach, and only go to other wheelsets if the approach is not successful with that particular loco. I have also converted a 64xx pannier, but the axles for these locos have rubber fittings at the end; so this Will be a temporary arrangement. For this, the axles and wheels will be changed.

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