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Code 88, Code 110;or don't care?

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  • #1

    Code 88, Code 110;or don't care?

    Poll Question:

    I wonder how many of use are using Code 88 width wheel sets. I've run into some problems lately ordering wheel sets. I always replaced all the wheels on my cars with metal wheel set and formerly used 33 inch Proto 2000 wheel sets which have not been available for at least a years now. These wheel sets where Code 110.

    If there is room and you would like to state who's wheel-sets you use, by all means give that information.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Standard Intermountain metal wheel sets.

    Everything, freight cars, gets then except Proto 2000 and Atlas. I've never changed wheels on passenger equipment.

    Atlas trucks are super smooth rolling right out of the box. Plastic wheels are not a good thing.
    Karl Scribner-Curmudgeon

    Cedar Swamp
    SW of Manistique, MI

    Avatar image by Savannah Lyn Burgess 7-15-2022

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    • #3
      I don't fit any of the categories exactly. Generally, I use the wheelsets that come with the kit. When I buy wheelsets, I buy metal, usually .088 tread width, but standardizing all my wheelsets isn't a priority. Between what's on my layout and what's in the boxes I take to modular layout setups, I probably have around 120 freight cars and 50 passenger cars.
      James

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      • #4
        I model the 1895-1905 period and use code 88 wheelsets, usually Kadee or NWSL. Code 55 rail for the most part. Bridges are built to Harriman standard E-35 or E45. Also Kadee "scale head" or Sergeant couplers. Even a few link-and-pin coupler MOW projects in the que.

        RDA

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        • #5
          I'll skew the bell curve....

          Code 125 rail with Intermountain wheelsets in Athearn trucks 90+% of the rolling stock.

          Yeah, O scale,
          In a time like ours seemings and portents signify. Ours is a generation when dogs howl and the skin crawls on the skull with its beast's foreboding.

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          • #6
            I use Kadee code 110 as I like the detail on the face of the wheel and they are already blackened. I run a paint pen around the face and dust with earth toned pastel chalks.I add a little rust to very the color sometimes. Axle tips are cleaned off. When the wheelsets are in the trucks I burnish the wheel tread with a Dremel wire brush. This takes off the black and really shines up the tread. Wheels stay clean a long time. I use only metal wheels on the layout.

            Gordon

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            • #7
              Another 'skew' of results from me. Doing Proto87, my wheels are P87 code 64. For my HOn3, I even remove and face the code 88 wheels to 0.080" and reface the flanges. This does allow some carefully constructed dual gauge trackwork. Couplers now are all being retrofired with Sergent.

              -ed-

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              • #8
                I use the code 110, mainly for reliability, availability and cost. I used to use P2K until they changed. I now use Intermountain and Kadee metal wheelsets. I have been happy with the performance of both but have been leaning more to IM lately since my LHS has them in bulk packs of 100. Still have about 100 cars left to convert, mostly blue box and Roundhouse from the 80's and early 90's. That in addition to the Accurail cars that I still purchase today.

                Willie
                willie

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                • #9
                  You are missing a choice 'D'. To paraphrase what jbvb said, mixed mode and functional ain't a bad choice. To replace all wheelsets is bit of being a 'rivet counter' for me.

                  Jim
                  Take the red pill

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                  • #10
                    This discussion does not directly apply to N scale. I have found that my N scale Peco turn outs have large sloppy clearances do not like low profile wheels on 50 foot cars so N scale pizza cutters for me for now. If I ever build a new layout with different turnouts I may be able to run low profile wheel sets.

                    Cool sounding stuff there on Proto 87, Ed


                    L&N nut Jon

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                    • #11
                      How foolish of me to think there were only 3 choices! Maya Culpa. I guess I thought the Code 88 width wheels in HO, were Proto 87. Don't really know anything about P 87, I guess.

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                      • #12
                        On my HO std gauge I use mostly code 88.
                        Michael Graff

                        "Deo Adjuvante Labor Proficit"

                        Swedish custom model builder.

                        http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart

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                        • #13
                          Proto:87 is VERY NEAR exact 1:87.08357 AREA and AAR dimensional reduction. ONLY code 64 wheels can run on P87 track, and code 64 wheels will NOT run on standard HO track. (Code 88 and code 110 wheels can not run on P87 track.)

                          Flangeways in P87 turnouts is a tight tolerance 0.021" - 0.022" and the standard HO wheels flanges won't fit. Code 64 wheels have flanges 0.012" width and 0.013" deep - which won't work with standard HO track. P87 track has severe restriction on gauge widening and most properly modified P87 equipment will require VERY generous curves. My own minimum radius is 32" in yards and sidings with 42" minimum radius for mainline.

                          It's a very different world and requires some extreme construction techniques.

                          -ed-

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                          • #14
                            emccamey, thanks for the information!

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                            • #15
                              In another thread a person made the following statment: "I'd rather have the layout work than worry so much about details on an operations oriented layout". I am of that same opinion, I pay attention to the details that are of interest to me (Like almost everyone else, I would guess) but, am most interested in the layout working well. I am also very interested in stretching my hobby dollar; so, given these two interests/criteria, going in for complete scale adherence just doesn't appeal to me. I like that I feel I can get buy with Code 110 width wheels, they fit into my idea of what a "Good Working Layout" is all about. I understand that others may want to take scale farther and some even want to take it to the Nth degree and I applaud them for their endeavor to do so, as long as it doesn't effect how I can enjoy my interests in this hobby!

                              I am wondering why if there are Code 110 wheels and Proto 87 wheels, why is there a "tweener" sized Code 88?

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