Traction Tire Blues

[dougdagrump]

I have been searching hi&lo for some K-Line traction tires for a GP-38 with no success.

Has anyone ever tried using a set of calipers to develop sort of a cross reference chart between various brands of locos ? Currently I have an F3 ABA, and 2 Mikados and the GP-38, all of which are K-Line. Fortunately only the one is in need of tires, two of four are gone. I have tried some of my Lionel tire inventory but no go, a shop told me that a 15mm/16mm/17mm MTH mite work but not sure.

I don't happen to have a set of calipers otherwise I would go thru my locos to start a database. Should be fairly simple measurement, wheel diameter, groove depth & width.

Anybody think this would be a worthwhile endeavor

[phillyreading]

dougdagrump,

Here is what I would do; go to a train show with the locomotive that needs traction tires and see if a parts dealer can match up a set of tires for you.

The caliper measurement sounds good but may be time consuming.

Lee F.

[otftch]

Use Lionel diesel traction tires.They are a little tight but won't come off.

                                                                            Ed

[More to restore]

Dougdagrump, I agree that decent traction tires would be best. However, in case you can't find them and need a plan-B, you could consider textile covered-sticky tape. Perhaps this sounds messy, but it actually works.

In the eighties I had a 1351 B&O blue boys train set with a general type engine that could not crawl onto any hill, so I made a nice cut of textile covered sticky tape and made a clear cut to have on overlap and it worked for 4 years. I removed it myself before selling the engine. Could be a plan B if everything fails.

Greetings

Egbert 

[csxt30]

Doug !!  I got it !! I measured my MPC Lionel Budd wheels & they are the same size as My K-line MP-15 eng !!  Jeff at the Traintender has them ! Others may have them too !! I didn't use a mike, but is seems the same . 

Thanks, John 

[steinmike]

 

Doug:

In the past, K-Line customer support has always been very good about sending me small replacement parts such as traction tires and "C" clips.  Lionel acquired K-Line and I would think that whatever parts inventory that remained at the end was shipped to Michigan.  Two thoughts:

(1) Call Lionel and see if they can get you a part reference number (and maybe even the exact traction tires that you need).

(2) One of the K-Line "superstores" may have some parts, I think the Western Depot (www.westerndepot.com) might be able to help.

if neither of those work, I think there's a train show in Roseville, Feb. 10/11 where you might find a parts supplier with a traction tire that will work.

Good luck,

Mike 

[ChiefEagles]

If all of the above does not work, email Dick Teal and he can give you help.  He recommends you go with a size smaller traction tire anyway.