I’m converting a couple of new Atlas O autoracks to 2 rail and I am trying to reuse the side frame and bolster. What is the best way to pull the 3 rail wheels and axles out of the side frame?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Pop the bearing caps off and then carefully squeeze the springs to remove them. There are various methods to make sure the springs don’t fly off, fishing line, hooked tweezers, picks, etc… whatever works for you.
Once all 3 springs are out the sideframe comes off the bolster and you can remove the axles.
Okay, next step for this project. Any idea how to get the 3 rail wheels off the axles?
If you have a vice handy. You can set a wheel on top of the jaws and tap down on the axle. Just have a soft landing spot for the axle and remaining wheel. Place it back on the vice and do the remaining one. I usually use a piece of scrap basswood as a punch so not to damage the axle end.
Why would you want to remove the wheels from the axles?
@PRRMP54 posted:Why would you want to remove the wheels from the axles?
I’m swapping out the 3 rail wheels for 2 rail wheels. The company I’m buying the wheels from doesn’t make a compatible axle for the new Atlas O autoracks. I’ve tried to talk to Atlas to see if they have spare 28” wheels and axles and haven’t received an answer.
@Dave_C posted:If you have a vice handy. You can set a wheel on top of the jaws and tap down on the axle. Just have a soft landing spot for the axle and remaining wheel. Place it back on the vice and do the remaining one. I usually use a piece of scrap basswood as a punch so not to damage the axle end.
Perfect. Thanks. Any ideas on how to press the 2 rail wheels and insulated bushing back on the axle?
I’m not a 2 railer. But I’d probably try to put the non insulated wheel on first and get it close to where it belongs. You can place the place the wheel in a socket on your bench. Use the outer face of the wheel. Not the flange. Push the axle in and hopefully it will line up straight and you can tap in using a hammer or your vice to push it. Use a piece of wood to protect the axle end when doing this. If the jaws on your vice open wide enough. Find a couple of small shallow sockets. 3/8 or10mm are usually close. A bit tricky holding everything in place but you need to get the axle assembly and the 2 sockets centered in the vice. Tighten the vice and hopefully just the insulated wheel will move inward seeing they usually move a bit more freely with the plastic insulator sliding on the metal axle and the other one will remain in place. . When everything is in place you can make some final adjustments to get them gauged.
You can use the vice to push both on at the same time. My experiencing is putting scale wheels on steamer pilot trucks. I found when using that method the wheel with the least resistance moves easily along the axle. Further than you want it to go. That being the insulated one. The non Insulated one just remains where you initially placed it. Some axles have steps that prevent this. The Atlas I believe have splines to bite the wheels and you can push the wheel past the line.
There are better ways to do this. You can checkout All Nation Line. They sell some proper tools to do this sort of thing as well as some how to videos. My advice is based on my own experiences using basic things you may have on hand.
