Guys:
I have a RailKing Commodore Vanderbilt that has taken to throwing her traction tires off after once around the layout. She never did this before and always pulled her assigned varnish without issue.
I've tried cleaning the drivers and slipping the tires back on, but she still manages to throw them off and sometimes foul in the drive rods after only one lap.
Have any of you guys had this problem?
How easy is it to change tires? Do I have to remove the valve gear when taking off the drive rods? (I loathe to do that, but I will if I have to)
Your thoughts please. Thanks!
Assuming the tires are on the rear wheels, you should be able to do it by removing the driving rod screw on that wheel.
Sounds like the traction tire has stretched out too much. You have to be careful that you don't stretch the new one more than needed (use a small flat-head screwdriver to hook it around the wheel) or you'll just have the same problem.
I have the very same problem with my MTH SD-9. I have put several new traction tires on it and it keeps throwing them. I have tried talking to MTH directly but they couldn't help either.
George
Once the tires have been thrown, it's time to get new ones. You'll never get them to stay for any length of time after the start coming off.
I have used brand new tires but it doesn't help. The new ones last about one lap, There is always the smell of hot rubber also.
Wonder if leaving the tires off and using Bull Frog snot on the wheels would help. Its usually for HO but but I would think it would work here as well.
Joe Staten Island West
Yesterday you were asking about how to change the tires, and today you've already gotten new ones and tried them? That was fast!
A lot of folks use that product or silicone for the wheel grooves on locomotives that are throwing rubber tires regularly.
Bill T.
The curious thing here is the locomotive didn't have the problem until recently, according to the first post. That being the case, I'd be looking for a cause.
Thanks for all the advice,
I don't think there is any inherent cause, other than maybe age and the tires are stretched, gunrunner John. They are the originals
But I will investigate some kind of adhesive for the new tires.
BTW: My MTH Premiere F-40PH refuses to wear a tire on one of her bogeys, she somehow shears through it before she throws it.
Runs and pulls great as long as I don't shod the wheel she doesn't like a tire on.
If they're the originals, I'd first just try new tires. I've never been successful in putting them back on, when they get thrown, I put new ones on.
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