Can I replace the plastic wheels on my wagons?

A lot of modellers replace the plastic wheels on their wagons with metal ones. But why do they do this? and is it a good idea?

Many modellers change to metal wheels for aesthetical reasons, but also, they do it because they don't wear as much and typically have better profiles, so they deal with points and crossovers better.

Replacement metal wheels for wagons and coaches are readily available from most good model shops. If you are considering replacing yours, you will need to make sure that you choose the correct size and fittings for your model. Usually, wheels with a diameter of around 12mm are used for wagons, and wheels with a diameter of around 14mm are used for coaches, so identifying the correct size is easy enough, however, where extra care should be taken, is the fittings. Pay particular attention to the outer part of the wheel's axle that slots into the bogie. These can exhibit slightly different designs, with some being sharp and pointy, while others are blunt or rounded (especially on older models).

If your replacement wheel's axles are too pointed for the mouldings on your bogie, they may not run freely. One possible solution is to install some pin-point axle bearings into your bogies. This may require a small amount of fettling, but it's an easy enough job, all be it a little laborious.

TOP TIP: If you want to know before you purchase whether modern replacement metal wheels will fit well with your bogies, try borrowing a similar wheelset from one of your other models first to see how they fit.