Wheel Dimensions – Train Sim Forum

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nicoberMember since Jul-11-02 · 136 postsMar 25, 2003 11:01 PM

Hi everybody!Is someone can tell me the real dimension of a wheel of a standard North American freight wagon?Is it the same dimension as a diesel loco 21in radius or 42in diameter in imperial mesurement?Is it standard for all railcars, freight and passenger? If yes, since how many time?Naturelly I think about the great compagnies (BNSF, UP, Conrail, Amtrack, CN, CP).Thanks, and have a nice day! Wheel Dimensions – image 1

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RE: Wheel Dimensions, mrmustard11, Mar-25-03, 08:07 PM, (1) RE: Wheel Dimensions, nicober, Mar-25-03, 10:02 PM, (2) RE: Wheel Dimensions, rowie_nq, Mar-29-03, 02:15 AM, (3) RE: Wheel Dimensions, smallspy, Mar-29-03, 12:34 PM, (4) RE: Wheel Dimensions, pwillard, Mar-29-03, 08:32 PM, (5) RE: Wheel Dimensions, kro52, Mar-29-03, 10:43 PM, (6) RE: Wheel Dimensions, smallspy, Mar-30-03, 02:37 AM, (8) RE: Wheel Dimensions, jtr1962, Mar-30-03, 01:22 AM, (7) RE: Wheel Dimensions, nicober, Mar-31-03, 00:13 AM, (9)

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mrmustard11Charter Member · 10 postsMar 26, 2003 1:07 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Well without knowing the desired prototype there is a quick response
most modern freight uses 33in diameter wheels
Modern passenger cars use 36in diameter.As for locomotives that varies on the locomotive itself.-=Andrew=-

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nicoberMember since Jul-11-02 · 136 postsMar 26, 2003 3:02 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Thanks for the informations Andrew Wheel Dimensions – image 2

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rowie_nqMember since Jan-30-03 · 68 postsMar 29, 2003 7:15 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

The wheel size depends on the total weight of the car. Up to 75 tons uses 33" diameter, up to 100 tons uses 36" dia, and over 100 tons uses 38" dia. Locos are 40" to 42", and I think the SD90 has 45" wheels.Cheers
David

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smallspyCharter Member · 220 postsMar 29, 2003 5:34 PM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Wheel diameter, as some have already noted, varies a lot between types of equipment. Engines, for example, generally use 42in diameter wheels, although some of the later EMD MAC's used 44 and 45in ones.I don't know about Superliners, but most other passenger equipment use 33in wheels. This includes the majority of Budd's stainless steel cars, Pullman's smoothside cars, and even UTDC/Can-Car/BBD's commuter bilevels. The only ones that I know of that are any different are VIA's LRC cars...they use 28in wheels.Freight equipment varies quite a bit, depending on the type of car, it's usage, and even the era in which it was built. For example, most of the Canadian grain hoppers in service today use 36in wheels, although the first ones used 33in.Your best option is to say what cars you need info on, and the rest of us can let you know what size they are.Dan

The voice of insanity in an otherwise sane world!

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pwillardCharter Member · 760 postsMar 30, 2003 1:32 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Certain specialized flat cars can have wheels as small as 28".

Pete Willard Wheel Dimensions – image 6
http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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kro52Member since Feb-2-03 · 75 postsMar 30, 2003 3:43 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Hey Dan,
Just FYI, most conventional loco's use a 40" wheel.
I ran a wheel shop on the LIRR for 10 years. KRO52

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smallspyCharter Member · 220 postsMar 30, 2003 7:37 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Uggg! Must...proofread....more....often....Sorry, I meant "...most MODERN engines..."You're absolutely right though KRO, until fairly recently most engines used 40in wheels.Dan

The voice of insanity in an otherwise sane world!

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jtr1962Charter Member · 290 postsMar 30, 2003 6:22 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

Nobody here has talked about wheel width. Most of the current MSTS models have wheels that are too wide. The total width of the wheel, including the flange, is 5.5"(0.1397 meters). The flange is 1.156"(0.0294 m) wide and 1"(0.0254 m) deep. These dimensions are just as important to realism as having the correct diameter.

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nicoberMember since Jul-11-02 · 136 postsMar 31, 2003 5:13 AM

RE: Wheel Dimensions

The most important for me was the diameter of a wheel but it's realy true I didn't think to the width of the wheel. Great thanks for this additionnal information. I'll take a special attention to this.Also Great Thanks for everybody who take some time to give me an answer. These informations will be very useful for my next projects.Have a nice day! Wheel Dimensions – image 8

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