IBLS Wheel Standard

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Current Version

Drawing courtesy of Bill Donovan of RealTrains.com

Notes:

1. Each line which joins an arc is tangent to the arc

2. In prototype practice the flange radius (r) is not a simple radius.


IBLS Wheel Standards
Scale TG=Track Gauge T=Tire Width W=Flange Width F=Flange Depth R=Contour Radius r=Flange Radius B=Back to back WG=Wheel Gauge WC=Wheel Check
1/2" (17/32") 2.500 min 9/32 min 0.063 max 0.075 max 0.025 +-0.006 0.030 typ 2-9/32 +0.200 -0.000 2-15/32 +0.000 -0.020 2.405 ref
3/4" 3.500 min 0.406 min 0.094 max 0.094 max 0.047 +-0.008 0.040 typ 3.281 +0.020 -0.000 3.470 +0.000 -0.020 3.375 ref
1" 4.750 min 0.505 min 0.125 max 0.140 max 0.062 +-0.010 0.050 typ 4.437 +0.020 -0.000 4.690 +0.000 -0.020 4.562 ref
1-1/2" 7.250 min 0.750 min 0.156 max 0.187 max 0.094 +-0.015 0.062 typ 6.870 +0.020 -0.000 7.190 +0.000 -0.020 7.031 ref
1-1/2" 7.500 min 0.750 min 0.156 max 0.187 max 0.094 +-0.015 0.062 typ 7.120 +0.020 -0.000 7.440 +0.000 -0.020 7.281 ref
1.6" 7.500 min 0.750 min 0.156 max 0.187 max 0.094 +-0.015 0.062 typ 7.120 +0.020 -0.000 7.440 +0.000 -0.020 7.281 ref

Notes:

1. The flange radius (r) is not specified by IBLS but has been calculated from F, W, and R

2. LBSC pointed out that 2-1/2 inch gauge models are actually built to 17/32 inch scale.

See also the 1981 IBLS Wheel Standard.

Background

by Ken Shattock

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:

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 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.

by Rick Henderson

As worldwide communications improved and it became evident that having two standards for 1:8 scale modeling in the U.S. was counterproductive, an attempt was put forth to adopt a true standard for track gauge, wheel profiles and couplers. The organization known as the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers was formed, with representatives from areas around the world working with riding scale railroads. Via mailings, all known private and club railroads were contacted and asking for input on what the standards should be so a single set could be established. From the replies, it became abundantly apparent there was no easy solution within the U.S. and the I.B.L.S. settled on adopting and recommending standards following those being used in California and sent these out as “proposed standards” to everyone. Since these first included 7-1/2” as the correct gauge for 1:8 scale, they were never officially adopted by everyone and have remained as proposed ever since. However, in the U.S., these proposed standards have been used by most everyone for wheels and couplers and each area has used their local gauge standard. This has allowed for the trains to easily travel to other railroads and interchange equipment fairly easy, except for crossing The 1/4” Demarcation Line in the northeast. Today if you look at most IBLS wheel and coupler charts, you will find gauging standards for both 7-1/4” and 7-1/2” that have become the accepted standards by most.

by Keith Taylor

Posted on Chaski.org, 4 March 2007:

As the last East Coast secretary of the IBLS, and having known Mr. Purinton, the founder of the Brotherhood of Live Steamers, I can tell you he was not opposed to standards. He felt that there was no need to create "new" standards as there was already a published set of standards in existence since the dawn of the Twentieth Century.

The "Live Steam" hobby came to us from England, and live steamers used the standards of the Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. These standards were developed by Henry Greenly, and are still used virtually all over the world....except here.

Endorsements

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

User Comments

Posted on Chaskit.org by Matt Mason, 17 January 2006:

Whether or not the wheel standards were "formally" adopted, so many clubs in the US (especially western US) use them they have become defacto standards. Yes, some clubs use other dimensions, and you should use what works for you and your club. As mentioned before, just because these dimensions are out there, you can still model however you want. As a testament to these standards, I was able to fly from California to New Jersey Live Steamers with my equipment, put the loco on the track, and run with no derailments. I like a set of standards, myself.

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
  • "IBLS Secretary's Report - Western Region - 1-1/2 Scale Standards", Richard Thomas Jr., Live Steam Magazine, Mar-Apr 1998
  • "Mini-Rail Notes - Wheel & Coupler Standards", Lewis Soibelman, Live Steam Magazine, Feb 1991

References

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