IBLS Wheel Standard

1981 Version

From the "IBLS Wheel Standards" published in the October 1981 issue of Live Steam Magazine.

Background

In 1978-1979 there was a "Blue-Ribbon" committee formed of SIX (6) individuals who were asked to meet and put together a defined list of "BLS WHEEL STANDARDS". These individuals, known to many in our Fraternity, were as follows:

• Austin Barr
• Brenton Barnfather
• Ken Shattock
• Jack Kerr
• Doug Alkire
• Robert Brinkman

The efforts of this group resulted in the BLS Standards, They were presented with the "10th Annual Live Steam Magazine Award" on December 1, 1979 by the late William C. Fitt, then-Editor of Live Steam Magazine.

These "Interim IBLS Standards" have been widely adopted and have become the accepted wheel standards for the hobby.

Endorsements

The following organizations use, recommend or require the IBLS Wheel Standard.

• Finger Lakes Live Steamers
• Electric Powered Locomotive Works
• Sacramento Valley Live Steamers
• Home Railway Journals
• Ridge Live Steamers
• Tom Bee
• Green Loco
• Colorado Live Steamers
• Mr Motion
• BSC Fabricators Inc
• Calvert Central Railroad
• Lawn Tracks
• Plumb Cove Studios
• Hesston Steam Museum
• Mid-South Live Steamers
• Locomotive Chassis
• The Great American Train Company
• Golden Gate Live Steamers
• Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers
• Washington County Railroad
• Cinder Sniffers Inc
• Southwestern Live Steamers
• Rhino Industries
• Kitsap Live Steamers

Bibliography

• "BLS Wheel Standards: Detailed Proposal", Live Steam Magazine, Oct 1974
• "Open Letter to the 'Committe of Five'", William C. Fitt, Concerns addressed to the BLS, Live Steam Magazine, Aug 1975
• "IBLS Wheel Standard: Back by Popular Request", Chart, Live Steam Magazine, Oct 1981

References

• GGLS Live Steam Magazine Index
• IBLS Wheel Standards - Southwestern Live Steamers
• IBLS Wheel Standards - Sacramento Valley Live Steamers
• IBLS Wheel Standards - Ridge Live Steamers