Swap scale front wheels for Lionel steamers...

Check with Northwest Shortline: http://www.nwsl.com/

You don't say what radius or diameter curves you are running on. Some of the steamers have small wheels to allow the pilot truck to swing far enough left or right without striking the steam chest casting.

BobbyD posted:

You don't say what radius or diameter curves you are running on. Some of the steamers have small wheels to allow the pilot truck to swing far enough left or right with out striking the steam chest casting.

O-72

mwb posted:

Check with Northwest Shortline: http://www.nwsl.com/

Thanks I'll check that 

Lionel is the largest offender when it comes to the "Tiny Dancer" pilot wheels, especially on the 2-axle leading trucks; the single-axle are not usually as bad(?). It is particularly noticeable on my 3752 ATSF 4-8-4 (the TMCC version). Looking at the pilot and then the loco makes one think of a 300-lb wrestler in ballet shoes.

Some will say "they have to clear the steam chest/pilot on smaller curves..." Well, so do MTH's, and MTH's 4-wheel pilot wheels are consistently better-proportioned.

MTH and K-Line pilots are usually better-wheeled and some times can be a drop-in fit. (I've dropped in a K-Line Hudson pilot on a Lionel L2 Mohawk; still too small, but better.) The axles can also be tapped out and new wheels pressed on carefully (have done that), when you can find the wheels. If the wheel center openings are too big for the axles, new axles can be made from nails (all kinds of sizes!). Did that too.

All this stuff shows up on eBay from time to time. 

I have used the Vision Line Hudson leading truck on several of Lionel's Hudson and Mountain engines.  Really improves the look of the engine.

Rolland