Train wheels, how important are they? The concept of steel wheels on steel rails is what makes railways more efficient than any other form of transport. It is what meant that animals and humans (before the use of steam or other forms of non-animal power) could move much heavier loads further and faster than over other forms of road. And so it is that I am enjoying converting all the wheelsets of my N scale rolling stock. I am really loving the low friction of the wheels as well as the improved appearance. Lower friction even than some of the older metal wheelsets where the metal was not well polished and so doesn't swish as nicely as the rolling stock does with the smoothly polished wheels.
Speaking of friction, I am learning how much resistance the motion of a steam locomotive (all those rods and levers and things) creates that inhibits the performance of the small and relatively weak electric motors that we power our models with. My N-Scale diesel runs much better than my N-Scale 0-6-0 and definitely as good as my N-Scale Berkshire until I did some lubricating of the motion. The big problem with lubricating models is that models have a high plastic content and not all lubricants are plastic friendly. Also there are the issues that happen in the real thing: "wet" lubricants can attract and retain particles that accelerate wear, any lubricant on the wheel's tyre, slipping can occur, which is undesirable, especially in models with limited power.
One of the wonders of the steel wheel on steel rail concept is that while it has low rolling friction, the wheels do actually grip. Early locomotives were engineered around the assumption that making the wheels rotate would not cause the train to move so alternatives were found until someone actually tried and found that there was and is enough friction for the wheels to drive trains.
Another consideration is conductivity. A lubricant that conducts can cause shorts across chassis, wires, wheels etc. A lubricant that insulates causes the opposite issue: if it gets in the wrong place, it will prevent the intended flow of electricity to the motor. Right now I am playing with a light oil but may go back to powdered graphite. Both have their pros and cons in all respects and only time will tell.
This post's photos relate to trees and glues. I am loving the power of EFD Simply Glues "Trees in minutes II" It does exactly what it says although it smells something toxic and melts cotton buds, or at least disintegrates them. The next step after this will be to apply spray adhesive and then some "snow"
