Steel rims/tyres on cast iron wheels

[neathabbeyironworks]

What are the pros and cons of putting steel rims or tyres on cast iron driving wheels?

[uuu]

The late president of the Isle of Wight club had a Ken Swan "Wren" locomotive. Its cast iron wheels wore badly on the steel bar rails at the club - after a lot of use, it has to be said. And it's a hefty loco on only four wheels.

So he turned down the cast iron treads and added heat-shrink-fit steel tyres, which lasted better.

The loco always gripped well, so I can't say whether rail adhesion was affected. It might be thought that cast iron would slip more easily.

So that's how I'll go with my own loco. Start with the cast iron and, if it wears out, fit tyres at that point.

Wilf

[dscott]

Turn round to the crowd having won IMLEC on damp aluminium rails with a Winston/Modelworks Britannia.
With STEEL TYRES.
These come in handy the following year when someone cleans the track with Paraffin.
AND you win IMLEC for the second time!!!

We did not see much of the run as I was deep into a Chocolate cake bought for us by Martin Evans.

David and Lily.