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Post by Country Joe on Sept 26, 2019 4:30:38 GMT
Gary, I've only had to replace one traction tire and it was easy to do so I have no problem with them. I'd think that replacing a locomotive's drivers would be considerably more difficult than changing an occasional traction tire. I don't think it's worth the effort, however, if you do, then do it. Sadly the traction tires coming from Lionel are junk, they are to thick, uneven, make the engine bounce and I change them with MTH tires as soon as I can. I had a rash of like all engines at once needing tire changes. Hence I started thinking about why we need them? Two rail doesn’t use them or need them. I have heard that Lionel's traction tires aren't very good. I've also heard that MTH's are much better. Pre and post war engines pulled fine without traction tires though they didn't pull as many cars as today's engines, but I could live with that.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2019 11:38:10 GMT
Well looks like I'm getting out voted big time. The masses have spoken, I can respect that.
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Post by Charlie on Sept 26, 2019 15:57:40 GMT
I have no problem with traction tires, it allows me to run more scale length passenger trains that better represent what the real consist had, without adding additional engines.
I don’t know of any Hudson or Northern made that could pull a realistic consist without traction tires. As it is now, most of us probably already run fewer scale length cars then ran in real life and could not do that if it was not for traction tires.
For the record, my interest is running streamline steam passenger trains followed by diesel streamline passenger trains.
Charlie
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Post by Joe Saggese on Nov 25, 2019 12:16:14 GMT
I have a Lionel camel-back that had a section of the traction tire come off. So I removed the rest of it and my question is - Is it ok to run the engine without the traction tires? (I only run 3 or 4 cars). I saw the posted video with the Bullfrog snot and may try that.
So what are the Pros and Cons for using and Not using traction tires?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 12:31:49 GMT
There should be no issues. What I plan to do with my MTH challenger when it needs traction tires is to replace the wheels/axles with standard no traction tire wheels. Really no need for such a heavy huge engine to have tires in the first place. Smaller engines I can see but not the big ones.
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Post by Joe Saggese on Nov 25, 2019 13:31:24 GMT
There should be no issues. What I plan to do with my MTH challenger when it needs traction tires is to replace the wheels/axles with standard no traction tire wheels. Really no need for such a heavy huge engine to have tires in the first place. Smaller engines I can see but not the big ones. Hey Gary, Just wondering why would you replace the wheels & axles? Also is there a how to guide on doing this? Ive been googling it but not finding anything useful.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 13:50:18 GMT
You just have to know how to replace these wheel sets by experience I guess. with a MTH Challenger, I wouldn't say easy but it's not rocket science. Reason I want to replace them is I don't like the idea of having one floating wheel set not making contact with the rail. I've read mixed reviews of the Bullfrog glue, so I don't want to use that stuff the fill the gap left by no tire. Figure since I plan on getting rid of those traction tires on the Challenger, just replace the wheels, on this engine there's two sets.
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Nov 25, 2019 14:52:27 GMT
I've only had to replace 2 traction tires during 8 years of running trains and they were both on diesel locos. Each change-out took no more than 5 minutes. But I've never had to replace any on steam locos. So, I don't mind the traction tires.
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Post by JDaddy on Nov 25, 2019 15:06:15 GMT
I have to have them... I have 2.9 percent grades on my layout and I pull 30 to 50 cars up grade. I have changed them all... the worst is the Lionel y6b, 2-6-6-2, and the Acela! Those locomotives alone will make you almost quit the hobby!
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Post by Country Joe on Nov 25, 2019 17:50:13 GMT
Gary and Joe, Bullfrog Snot will not fill the channel the traction tire sits in. You would have to fill the channel with something else or apply the Bullfrog Snot over the tire.
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Post by Adam on Nov 25, 2019 19:07:48 GMT
With my limited experience I guess it all depends on the grade, what you are pulling, etc. My layout is completely flat and on the small side so I probably could go without traction tires. But, I replaced one already and will probably just keep them on because that’s how the engines came.
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Post by Joe Saggese on Nov 25, 2019 19:27:02 GMT
The reason im asking is because the traction tires deteriorated on the Camelback I just bought (it was used)...
It looks like I have to take the engine apart to replace them and that's if I can get the right size - which I haven't checked yet.
Im going to try the bullfrog because there are no Wells on the driver wheeles.
I'll get back with pics and what happened in about a week. Got to go and order the goods.
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Post by JDaddy on Nov 25, 2019 19:32:18 GMT
Can you take the draw bars off one side of the engine and work the tire around the driver wheel with tooth picks?
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Post by Joe Saggese on Nov 25, 2019 19:35:08 GMT
Can you take the draw bars off one side of the engine and work the tire around the driver wheel with tooth picks? Ill have to look when I get home from work. If its not to intimidating Id have no problem doing it. Now Im hunting down the traction tires.
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Post by JDaddy on Nov 25, 2019 19:41:58 GMT
well if you lived closer I would say bring that puppy over and we would have her on the track in 10 minutes... I have it down to a science.
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