Replacement brake wheel question

windhund42 posted:

I'm looking to buy a Lionel 6436-25 hopper that has a "missing brake wheel" and identified quite a few replacement brake wheels available from various sources but I have no idea which one would be correct for this hopper.  Does anyone have information about this?   Thanks.

Since there were many different suppliers & styles of hand brake wheels, over more than 100 years of freight car manufacture, I would suggest that you purchase a replacement wheel, that you personally like. On the other hand, you could compare your hopper to other similar Lionel hoppers, and purchase a similar looking brake wheel. Besides, brake wheels could have been changed-out during a rebuild of said car anyway.

Thanks, great advice. 

I'm looking to buy a Lionel 6436-25 hopper that has a "missing brake wheel" and identified quite a few replacement brake wheels available from various sources but I have no idea which one would be correct for this hopper.  Does anyone have information about this?   Thanks.

During the postwar period, as far as I know, Lionel only used one brake wheel. Reproductions are readily available. The part number is 715-21. You would also need the stud, 3656-153.

But, before you add a brake wheel, look carefully at the hole in the body for the stud. Is there any sign of a stud being there before? Maybe your car never had one.

It would be somewhat unusual for the brake wheel to just fall out.  Even junk cars with all sorts of damage / abuse often still have their brake wheels. Is the hole damaged? Are there marks on the body from someone prying it off?

The photo below shows what appears to be an empty hole so it seems that the wheel with stud would drop in there nicely.  Is it a friction fit or does it have to be glued?

I take whatever I find laying around and if it fits - that's the one!

That's a good idea too!

The photo below shows what appears to be an empty hole so it seems that the wheel with stud would drop in there nicely.  Is it a friction fit or does it have to be glued?

Friction fit.
The coal load is not original to the car.

Thanks CW.  I thought it was a friction fit and thought that coal load was too shiny to be original

I have a whole zip lock bag of them from derailments and trains crashing. Send me your addy and I will mail you one  Nick

Thanks so very much Nick!  YGM!

windhund42 posted:

Thanks so very much Nick!  YGM!

The mail truck just took it away Neal sometimes its the little things that matter Have fun. Nick

Thank you so much Nick.  It's been great being a member of this forum as a newbie.  So much knowledge here and such nice people too.