Bob Delbridge posted:I know this is an old topic, but the problem still exists.
If I was to make a Hi-rail wheel gauge, what would be the defining measurement to check? Would it be back-to-back width of the wheels? For some reason I keep plopping the NMRA 2-rail gauge onto a set of Hi-rail wheels expecting them to drop right in. I've noticed that almost every wheelset I try, the backs of the wheels are "just" too wide, about 1/16" from going in. But they're all consistent. If I took even a scrap piece of brass and made it to slip between the wheels (whatever that measurement should be) then I could check every wheelset against it and it would be easier than holding a ruler up to the wheels.
Another topic...I spent the last 2 days cleaning crud off the wheels of my rolling stock, didn't want to do it but I noticed several wheels had buildup that was 1/32" thick! While cleaning them I noticeda lot of variation between tread angles, a couple of cars had wheel tread where the angle was almost flat but with large flanges.
Bob, one of the problems you are going to have making a Hi-rail wheel gauge is that the contour of the wheels themselves is also not standard and that's going to make this very difficult unless you standardize your personal use/choice of wheels in use.
