We consumers do have some choices, when it comes to diesels. Of course there's Magne-traction but few of the post war Lionel diesel locomotives qualify as "scale" to meet modern modelers' tastes. However, many current MTH Premier diesels do offer the 2R-3R option which permits wheel/axle replacement with relative ease. Notable exceptions are the ALCo PA/B and DL-109/110, FM Trainmaster, plus EMD E6 and E8. I'll not buy another of those until MTH offers them with 2R-3R trucks.
Interestingly, Lionel has quietly dipped its toe in the waters of wheel/axle replacements! They offer replacement wheel/axle sets for their ALCo S-2 (see the relevant parts list), AND, quite by accident* I came upon this for my BNSF SD70ACe:
| 6208338170 | SD70ACE WHEEL RETROFIT KIT / SMALL FLANGES (1 TRK) |
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...4d-aa18-da5ad1cdf959
You'd think that Lionel feared being burned at the stake for such heresy! They hid this better than Fredrick III hid Martin Luther at Wartburg Castle. I have received my two sets of "small flanges" wheel sets which include one rubber tired whee/axle per set. I have yet to tackle the replacement of the factory equipment rubber tired wheel/axles but it looks to be quite easy and straight forward, complicated only by my desire to replace The Claw with Kadees at the same time.
Note* My BNSF SD70ACe slipped from a precarious perch on the workbench and hit the concrete floor but only busted the "radiator housing", thus requiring a visit to the Lionel Replacement Parts site and my discovery of their very secret sin.
