Metal wheel sets

[nachoman]

As with most people, I have found metal wheelsets to make a difference in rolling quality. But, I don't see the advantage as great enough to warrant replacing plastic wheels that work fine. So, I just replace those on cars that are problematic. The metal wheels also add a little weight down low, and that helps with underweight cars where it is difficult to add more weight (like flat cars). I think I have tried Bachmann, Proto 2000, and Atlas, but not yet Branchline. I prefer the ones that have a solid metal axle and individual insulated wheels. I think the Atlas ones have metal wheels and bearings, and they press into a plastic axle. I have found some atlas ones to be narrow in gauge right out of the package, and the plastic axle makes adjusting the gauge a little more difficult. Nonmagnetic is important though if you use permanent kadee uncoupling magnets (I don't).