@Curtis1983 posted:1. The plastic piece is a tube.
2. Yes the NWSL wheels are fitted onto the Lionel axles. I have to glue these in place with heavy glue like Walthers goo.
I have to sand the insulating plastic with my Dremel to make if fit. I've done this with 5 axles already.
Ah, OK. I did something similar with Atlas wheels on MTH axles many years ago, and had so many problems [ requiring rework ] with concentricity and gauge [ in the sense getting both good at the same time ] that I never did another like that. Glad it's working out for you.
Did you investigate using either Atlas or MTH 2R wheelsets -- I wonder how their axle dia compares with Lionel's ?
Best regards,
SZ