Sources for wheels and tires?

jsmatlak · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 7:40 pm **Posts:** 79

Has anyone purchased new wheels or tires lately? I'm wondering who is still out there making custom wheels.

In the past I've worked with ORX and Penn Machine, but to be honest I guess I'm not sure if they're actually a manufacturer of the wheels and tires, or more of a value-added reseller?

I came across the ad in the August 2006 Trainline for Ajax Rolled Ring Co. The ad states that they are "the only active American tire manufacturer in business today". Is this in fact true, have all of the other tire manufacturers gone offshore?

Although I am looking for wheels and tires for some trolley projects, I would also be curious to hear about steam locomotive tires as well. Thanks as always.
http://www.oerm.org

artschwartz · **Posted:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 12:55 am

Irwin Car recently made a set of 25" wheels for Pittsburgh low floor car 4398 for the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.

gmray · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:34 am **Posts:** 382

TVRM purchased tires from Ajax Rolled Ring earlier this year.

Roger Mitchell · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:02 pm **Posts:** 76

A few years ago the Fort Collins Municipal Railway purchased new FRA certified steel wheels from the Pennsylvania Tool and Machine Works for our streetcar here in Fort Collins.

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:26 pm

The SPCRR has had patterns made for cast 24" and 26" wheels. We go through BCH Industries in Oakland. for our casting (outsourced) and finishing. The wheels are cast in steel, and heat treated. The wheels are not FRA certified, but could be. BCH also makes wheels for SF Muni for the cable cars, as well as other small run special work.