I am converting a lot of my 3-rail Atlas cars to 2-rail.I see they both have 33" and 36" wheels in conversion kits . Other than diameter,is there any difference between the them in appearance or any thing else. Which one would be better to use thanks
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I always thought that 36" diameter wheels are for passenger trucks, and 33" diameter are for freight trucks.
In the modern era at least, to the best of my knowledge, usually 70 ton trucks had 33" wheels, 100 trucks used 36" wheels, and 125 ton cars (think articulated well cars)used 38" wheels. Autoracks used 28" wheels for clearance purposes. These would all be roller bearing trucks.
I don't know if these practices held true for trucks and wheel sets from earlier eras.
Jim
You are going to want to use the 36" inch wheels on large grain hoppers as well as coalporters (modern era). Also if you have articulated well cars then end trucks are 33" the intermediate trucks are 36". You use 36" wheels for higher weights.
50ft box cars, etc are 33inch.
Some modern tank cars are 36" but most are 33inch
Adam
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