MTH different wheel sets?

If you are running Lionel engines, you want high rail wheels. High rail wheels have deeper flanges and can take tighter turns without coming off the track. Scale wheels generally take twice as much curve as does a high rails wheel. If you read the MTH catalog, it will read "high rail operates on O-72 curves", while the "scale wheel operates on a 72 radius". The 72 radius equates to an O-144 curve in high rail. Hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Deekbears:
Can some one please explain the difference between mth's high rail wheels and the scale rails. I have searched a lot looking for he awnser and the best I can come up with is the high ones are what I am used to running my Lionel engines and cars, while the scale need bigger turns(o-72). Or am I way off? I just want o make sure I order correctly the right one.

You are correct high rail wheels are for your typical three rail track, scale wheels for typical two rail track with a flat rail profile and short rail height.The scale wheels usually need wider turns and scale switches. Two rail also does not have traction tires.I am a three railer but my next diesel locomotive I order from MTH will be scale wheel so I can get the fixed pilot and Kadee couplers. Then I will order the extra high rail wheel set and switch wheels.
Clem

quote:

Originally posted by Deekbears:
Can some one please explain the difference between mth's high rail wheels and the scale rails. I have searched a lot looking for he awnser and the best I can come up with is the high ones are what I am used to running my Lionel engines and cars, while the scale need bigger turns(o-72). Or am I way off? I just want o make sure I order correctly the right one.

The high-rail wheels have the oversized wheel flanges (some call them "pizza cutters") that are pretty much the "standard" for 3 rail O gauge. Scale wheels have much smaller flanges as well as having a thinner "wheel tread" than 3-rail, and is more common for 2-rail.

The curvature is not so much the constraint for the wheels themselves, it's a combination of other factors, including the profile (cross-section) of the rails (ie. rounded tubular rails like on traditional Lionel track or "T" shaped rail like Atlas O, GarGraves, or MTH's ScaleTrax), whether or not the couplers are mounted to the frame of the locomotive/car, and whether or not the front and rear pilots are fixed or if they swivel with the trucks, and constraints on the type of switches used.

With MTH's offerings in the Premier line, the catalog items ending in -2 are the "scale wheels" version which means they come with scale sized wheels, fixed pilots, and do not have couplers at all (they have pre-drilled and tapped holes to mount scale-sized couplers like Kadee. The overall length of the locomotives and cars tend to dictate the minimum diameter curves you can use, not so much the wheels themselves.

So basically, if you're using traditional O gauge tubular track, and the curves on your layout, don't get the scale wheels version. Also take notice of the actual recommended minimum curves advertised. If your layout's curves don't meet it, it could still possibly negotiate them, but possbily not gracefully so or without issues.

This is very helpful