Wheels and the FRA

A little thing to consider. If your railroad has a track gauge greater than 24 inches and has public grade crossings the FRA can consider you non insular as is the case with our operation, the Fort Collins Municipal Railway. We had to replace our wheels a couple of years ago. They are 24 inches in diameter with streetcar flanges. We were required to have the replacement wheels AAR/FRA certified. We found a shop in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Machine and Tool Company who was able to do the job. FRA regulations require new wheels to be cast steel, not cast iron. The entire job including the presswork came to $12,500 for 4 wheels.
Roger Mitchell
Master Mechanic
Fort Collins Municipal Railway