Converting Wheelsets from 3 to 2 rail

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Converting Wheelsets from 3 to 2 rail

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mb300e4m		#1 Posted : 18 March 2018 19:52:21(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 07/06/2013(UTC) Posts: 424 Location: Florida		Has anyone tried converting Marklin three rail wheel sets to two rail? This would involve drilling one wheel per axle then inserting a plastic bushing and pressing the wheel back onto its axle. I am referring to wheel sets like 441-70007 and similar. I know I can buy two rail wheelsets ready to go, but I have dozens of pieces of rolling stock that I want to convert so that would e a very expensive proposition.
		Peter B. In Sunny Florida most of the time. Marklin, Trix Express, Trix Twin, Fleischmann, Liliput, Hornby Dublo, and Others, 2 & 3 Rail, AC, DC and Digital, Course Scale Wheels & Fine, 1935 to 1960s usually.


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franciscohg		#2 Posted : 18 March 2018 22:04:30(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/07/2002(UTC) Posts: 3,268 Location: Patagonia		Hi Peter, i think that having the proper tools ( a good Lathe basically ) and materials, it should not be very difficult, but with a considerable amount of work involved. I never have checked very deeply my wagons wheelsets and i am not at home to check but IIRC the axles go completely trough the wheels, being a little pin in it wich secureto the holders in the wagons, that would make the conversion a little harder because you would have to drill completelt across the wheel and fit a bushing very firmly, wich can also be visible. Regards Francisco
		German trains era I-II and selected III, era depends on the mood, mostly Maerklin but i can be heretic if needed XD, heresy is no longer an issue.. LOL


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mike c		#3 Posted : 18 March 2018 23:13:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 7,892 Location: Montreal, QC		Because of the fact that AC wheelsets have different profiles and wheel spacing and the fact that some DC equipment requires wheelsets where either one or both wheels are isolated, my recommendation would be to try to find somebody who wants to swap their DC wheelsets for your AC ones. There are a lot of Maerklin modellers who have rolling stock from other companies and might jump at the chance to finally equip their stuff with AC wheelsets. Regards Mike C

1 user liked this useful post by mike c		Crazy Harry
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5HorizonsRR		#4 Posted : 19 March 2018 00:45:52(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC) Posts: 2,865 Location: CA, USA		I"m not sure what your end goal for the project is, but remember the NEM standards for DC are different and milling down AC wheels to those for DC track would be a serious job, if even possible?
		SBB Era 2-5

1 user liked this useful post by 5HorizonsRR		Crazy Harry
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H0		#5 Posted : 19 March 2018 08:41:00(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,265 Location: DE-NW		Originally Posted by: mike c Because of the fact that AC wheelsets have different profiles and wheel spacing [...] I guess he knows he has to remove one wheel to add insulation, so it is simple to adjust the wheel spacing while at it. Depending on the tracks in use and the age of the wheelsets the profile could be no problem. Some DC perfectionists often mill down wheels (for RP25 or H0pur or whatever), so that is something that was done many times before. I only have have experience for the other way: adjusting the spacing of two-rail wheelsets for use on Märklin C track. With a minimal adjustment you can achieve wheelsets that work fine on three-rail and two-rail tracks in my experience. I don't use contact tracks (yet) and insulation is no problem for me (yet). Wheel profiles of modern wheels look very similar to my eyes.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS


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Markus Schild		#6 Posted : 19 March 2018 13:01:59(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 14/01/2006(UTC) Posts: 1,802 Location: Wurttemberg		Hi Peter, I would think about "after-market" - wheelsets. These are much cheaper than the parts delivered by Märklin. Some people also say that the quality is even better: http://www.das-service.d...strom/maerklin/index.php Regards Markus
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4 users liked this useful post by Markus Schild		franciscohg, Minok, kimballthurlow, dickinsonj
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kimballthurlow		#7 Posted : 20 March 2018 20:59:29(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC) Posts: 6,668 Location: Brisbane, Australia		Originally Posted by: mb300e4m Has anyone tried converting Marklin three rail wheel sets to two rail? This would involve drilling one wheel per axle then inserting a plastic bushing and pressing the wheel back onto its axle. I am referring to wheel sets like 441-70007 and similar. I know I can buy two rail wheelsets ready to go, but I have dozens of pieces of rolling stock that I want to convert so that would e a very expensive proposition. ....aaaaaaaaagh! The silent scream............. don't even bother to try. Attempting to re-bush a wheel, you will end up with all sorts of eccentricities. Follow Markus advice ..... brilliant. Kimball
		HO Scale - Märklin (ep II-III and VI, C Track, digital) - 2 rail HO (Queensland Australia, UK, USA) - 3 rail OO (English Hornby Dublo) - old clockwork O gauge - Live Steam 90mm (3.1/2 inch) gauge.
		WWW

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ktsolias		#8 Posted : 20 March 2018 21:49:03(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 01/05/2016(UTC) Posts: 610 Location: Athens		To do this correctly you need a lathe and special holders special drills ... and experience to use all these... The best advise is to follow Marcus advice Costas

1 user liked this useful post by ktsolias		dickinsonj
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