Aristo-Craft Metal Replacement Wheels

There is a problem with fitting standard Aristo-Craft metal wheels on an Aristo-Craft roller-bearing truck. The metal wheels that come on the trucks have a different dimension than standard replacement metal wheels, currently on the market. This is an issue when replacing plastic wheels that come on Aristo 'show-cars' that have the new Roller bearing trucks (currently the Evans Boxcar and 100 ton Hopper.) because the steps on the axles rub on the metal bearing in the truck side frames. One solution is to remove the side frame bearing and re-insert it from the outside of the side frame. However this reduces the engagement of the bearing end caps on the axle ends. Also of note is the factory roughens up the axle ends to provide some 'tooth' for the end caps to lock on to, replacement wheels should also be treated this way or glue will be necessary to insure the caps remain in place.

These are my measurements while trying to discover the difference between Standard Aristo-Craft metal replacement wheels and the Aristo-Craft metal wheels that come on the their 100 ton Hoppers and Evans Boxcars (cars with the new Roller Bearing freight trucks).

I do not know if or when new metal wheel sets will be released that will fit the roller-bearing trucks properly, but this seems like a simple solution since there should not be any negative impact on using them with any other car.

Until then, here is a way to fit standard Aristo Metal wheels, This method requires the disassembly of the Aristo Roller Bearing Trucks. Here's how: