Large difference in Flange Thickness - old problem?

manufacturer?

Hard to tell from the pics, but as a start you might want to measure and compare the wheel gauges of each set and adjust the shiny set to the black one's.

Ha! Even with thin flanges I've had occasional similar problems with Atlas track. The cure in some cases is to modify the switch a little but for the wheels you show I can't imagine that there is any easy fix other than to replace the wheels which means disassembly of the trucks. Sorry I can't offer better advice. You probably don't need new wheels but if you do I have bunches of them.

@Bill DeBrooke posted:

manufacturer?

Manufacturer is Lionel on both wheelsets

George

@Richie C. posted:

Hard to tell from the pics, but as a start you might want to measure and compare the wheel gauges of each set and adjust the shiny set to the black one's.

Richie, I measured the distance from outer edge to outer edge of the wheels on both wheelsets - exactly the same. Then I measured from inside to inside - exactly the same. Axle width - exactly the same. The only thing I couldn't measure was the flange thickness for the obvious reason that it varies depending where on the flange you measure it. I may shoot a video showing what bad actors these are if I get a minute. They literally climb the rails and then derail every time on a Fastrack switch!!

I should also mention that both wheels sets were well oxidized (blackened) at the factory, but both had some sort of residue on them. Alcohol removed the residue, but when I gave them a conductivity test by just rolling them through an insulated section of track (used to operate two signals), they would not conduct well. And that's the reason you see a shiny set - I chucked that wheelset into my drill, and held Scotchbrite against the tread and flanges - that removed all traces of the oxide, and they conduct perfectly now when rolled across the insulated section. The "skinny flange" wheel set seemed to conduct just OK after just an alcohol bath, so the oxide will remain on those wheelsets (DT&I #9750) - I think the extra weight of the rest of the car will make them conduct even better.

I swear, those thick flange wheels look awfully similar to some really crappy wheels I've gotten from Menard's. The gent that sold me the triple deck auto car said he bought it new and had never run it - believable, since there were no signs of wear at all, so I doubt they are Menard's.

@Scott J posted:

Ha! Even with thin flanges I've had occasional similar problems with Atlas track. The cure in some cases is to modify the switch a little but for the wheels you show I can't imagine that there is any easy fix other than to replace the wheels which means disassembly of the trucks. Sorry I can't offer better advice. You probably don't need new wheels but if you do I have bunches of them.

@Scott J, thank you! I think I have enough salvaged wheels sets to replace all four axles, but if not, I may give you a shout!!

Thanks everyone!

George