Help for replacing wheels on a metal truck

[Roger-371912]

I am new to Hornby and thought I would supplement my new layout with a couple of trucks from Ebay.

I bought three 00 gauge 3 rail coal wagons and thought I could change the wheels to make them suitable for my 2 rail system. However, not as easy as I thought. The bodies are metal and there is a small clip over each axel box, but although the clips move I don't seem to be able to release them. In any event they don't compress enough to allow access for the new wheels The base of the wagons says: Hornby Dublo, Made in England, Meccano Ltd.

I have replacement Hornby wheels and am happy to cut and drill if necessary, but don't want to wreck some very good vintage trucks by doing the wrong thing.

I guess I must replace the couplings too and as far as I can tell I must drill out a rivet to do that.

I would be grateful for some. I am sure this must have been done before, but I am unable to find anything in my community search.

[Rana Temporia]

Depending on which wagons you have the easiest solution might be to get some cheap OO secondhand Lima wagons and swap the chassis over. The Dublo couplings are at a different height to Hornby and although some people (including me) have changed the wheels and couplings it is a faff. The Lima wagons are the only ones I have found that are the correct size.

[What About The Bee]

Hello Roger

Oscar Paisley just did a video which features Hornby Dublo wagons by Meccano. In the video he removes the wheel hangers.

Skip to about 20:40 for the procedure.

Alternatively, sit back and observe a great layout!

Bee

[threelink]

Changing wheels and couplings involves a lot of work and the wagons cannot be returned to their original condition without just as much work. It might be better in the circumstances to sell on the wagons or follow RT's advice about Lima chassis. Alternatively you might consider a 3 rail demonstration layout - Hornby Dublo 3 rail is superbly engineered and indestructible. I inherited a pile that must be 80 years old if it is a day and occasionally add to it. It's wonderful stuff with a charm of its own. Old Triang wagons are much easier to refurbish and as cheap as chips. I have done well over 100, even the cast chassis version (the chassis is cast mazak as opposed to plastic), adding pin point fine wheels and near scale 3 link couplings. The only drawback is that Triang stock rides 3mm over scale height but there is a way to lower the buffer beams to allow them to run with scale height stock without any risk of buffer lock.

[Roger-371912]

Thanks for your advice and you have all helped in one way or another.

I already have my new two rail track, so don't think switching to three rail is now an option. I also had already sawed through the axels of one of the trucks and cant find any suitably priced Lima wagons, so I thought trying the switch is worth a go. Oscar's video was really useful, as it showed how the wheels were retained, so this is how I went about it.

I first made a drill jig from a piece of wood to fit the truck in which I placed a 4mm guide hole 7.5mm in, in line with the rivet. I drilled the rivets out with the 4mm drill, which allowed the chassis to be separated and the couplings and the wheel retainers to be removed.

I straightened the ends of the wheel retainers with pliers and put in the new wheels. A bit fiddly but with patience they go in and the retainers can be bent back to hold them in place. Voila I now have new wheels.

A couple of washers and a 6BA nut and bolt allowed me to refit the couplings at the correct height.

An extra nut and bolt drilled in the centre to hold the body back onto the chassis, with a simulated coal load to cover it all up, gives me a whole new waggon. However, as TH says it can no longer be returned to its original condition, but having seen it run, I am not sure that I want to.

Thanks again for giving me the courage to attempt the task.

[threelink]

Well done RO. I'm glad that it all went well.