Worlds first Trackmaster 2 full wheel conversion

[Ucwepn]

I think it's a world first, I did hear another modder/youtuber did a rear wheel swap but not all 4 wheels

Anyway this idea struck me today, so out to the shed I went. A couple of weeks ago I was able to successfully remove the short front axles from a TM1 Charlie I thought I would try on TM2 Thomas! and Bam! success! (it was allot slower and more annoying than BAM! though) so once the front axles are out its as simple as adding the tomy wheels and refitting the axles with a gentle tap of the small hammer.

For the rear axle I decided to use a small ream to push out the axle from the wheels, I carefully hammered out the axle from both wheels (they were really on there tight!) and I did the same to a Tomy axle with a split gear (recycling!). I then carefully hammered the tomy wheels onto the TM2 axle and test fitted it to Thomas. Success!

The front wheels fouled the bodyshell slightly in front and above the front wheels so a little bit of filing was in order.

It runs superbly! I used my filed down chassis to avoid track fouling problems and give it the best chance to run properly and it doesn't disappoint. I can't help but feel I am not the first as I am sure Trackmaster R&D have already performed the same mod at some stage prior to signing off on the final geared wheel climbing design

Edit: upon further testing and new batteries he can haul 8 empty full size tracks and a brake van around the whole layout! Success!

Is it ok if i can the gear inside? because it is really interesting.

Now I see what you did... Nice!!
Much better!!

[Ucwepn]

thanks

[Ucwepn]

Is it ok if i can the gear inside? because it is really interesting.

It's the original axle and gear Julian just the wheels have been swapped.

I tried to do something similar last week. I got the wheels off the drive axle OK, much as you've described, but what I don't understand is how you got the front axle out.

When I look at mine it appears the disc-shaped knobs on each end are integral with the axle. Do these come off somehow to let you pull the axle out through the black housing? I'll go and have another look at it.

This the Original Thomas I'm talking about now.

EDIT. Now I understand, at least in part. I assumed it was one axle in the front with a knob on each end, but you can turn one end while the other stays still, which of course explains why you said "short axles". I would however still like to know how you managed to get them out, because a bit of judicious pulling and twisting doesn't seem to be having much effect. Do I just need to apply more muscle?

[Super]

Thats exactly what I was going to try with a new TM2 Original Green Thomas that I still haven't found around here yet. Now you have saved me the trouble Ucwepn. The rear wheel modification was what I was going to try like you but I had no idea about the front. Did you have to swap out the from because of diameter or just for the color? I take it there now is no drive wheel slippage on blue Tomy tracks. Now that I know it works by you, I needn't be searching for a TM2 Original Thomas anymore and spend that money on something else. Great job Uc, can't wait to see him run in a video.

Very Clever! Ucwepn
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tomy/plarail train 4 life!!

Do I just need to apply more muscle?

SOME TIME LATER....Cracked it. My method involves a pair of pincers and a stack of washers. Add another washer, give another squeeze, repeat ... and out she pops.



Here we see the green TM2 wheels and axles that I've removed, alongside the blue wheels and axles from a rusty old Thomas that was in the scrapyard.



And here's the result. Possibly the world's second Trackmaster 2 full wheel conversion? OK, there are questions to be asked about the colour of the wheels, but I can take care of that later.



TIP: Don't hammer the 1/2 axle in too far or there won't be enough sticking out to slip the slot in the con-rod over it.

Note also that the old-style wheels are 24mm in diameter while the new-style ones are 22mm, which means he goes 9% faster after the modification than he did before it. Bonus.

[Ucwepn]

Well done Chrisjo! yes those front axles are in there really tight!