MTH Scale Wheels/Fixed Pilot Diesel Question?

You can buy three rail wheels for this. easy install, just one screwdriver.

So, the scale wheels are intended ONLY for two-rail scale O track? 

Hi Art,

The scale wheels will work/track on some 3-rail track and switches. I've used Lionel's FasTrack with my MTH scale wheels units; I'm just careful with the speed. I got an extra set of hi-rail wheels, but never used them. I like the look of the scale wheels better.

BTW, I haven't tried two axle scale wheels trucks, yet(I've got some coming, though). All my scale wheels pieces had 3 axle trucks.

Rick

Hi Art.

The short answer is probably. The minimum radius of 31" listed is incorrect. It should read 42" instead. I have a couple of ES44AC's and they negotiate 36" radius (O-72) fine with scale wheels with cars coupled. FasTrack has a flat top rail which supports scale wheels fine. Where you'll have problems is the turnouts because a curve extends through the frog. With two exceptions, all of the locomotives I've purchased over the past four years have had scale wheels and fixed pilots and have run pretty well on the club layout. They've had issues with the few O-72 turnouts we have, but can get through them if moving slowly (the six-axle diesels are more problematic than the four-axle units).

MTH recommends using Kadee 806 (or 743) couplers. On the six axle diesels (at least so far) I've found you can cut down the standard 805 metal box just past the rear mount holes and the coupler mount on the power truck will clear.

Hope this helps.

BTW, Art. Like the tag line "vita sine literis mors est" Took Latin in high school and college.

Matt:

THANKS!   "Life without literature (knowledge) is death." is a very true statement.