S Gauge Traction Tires

[gasblender37]

Thanks Major

[Major]

Buy the thin traction tires and superglue them on. Note that when you do this the locomotive will have a slight angle to it and the pilot may come into contact with the rail on irregular track. Later locomotive pilots were set higher off the rails.  You can correct this by putting  washers between the boiler and frame where the two front screws attach to the boiler.  I have done this to correct the problem,

There is no mistaking if a locomotive has traction tires or not.  If it does you will see the rubber tires on the wheels.

[gasblender37]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the info. I have an AF 326 and a couple of AF 303's and was wondering if there were traction tires on them. And if not, could I install traction tires on them.

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[ADCX Rob]

Major

A few of the early Flyer steam locomotives had thin traction tires that were glued onto their regular wheels

I've done this with great success on early Williams diesels that did not come with tires.  It makes quite a difference in pulling power.

[Major]

A few of the early Flyer steam locomotives had thin traction tires that were glued onto their regular wheels.  My 336 Northern is like this.  Other flyer steam and diesel locomotives had a grove that held a thick traction tire in place.  If you lube the car axles and use only plastic cars not die cast or aluminum cars a non traction tire locomotive can pull up to 20 cars on the level.  Flyer normally (95% of the time)  put the traction tires on the rear set of wheels on a locomotive, but they also put them on the front set of wheels as well. Pulling power will increase with traction tires, and the traction tires are strongly recommended  if you are using a trestle set

You can purchase both the thin glue on and regular thick traction tires from Port line hobbies and Dave's Twacks and Twains.

[ADCX Rob]

You need to explain a little more.  With toy trains, the wheels either have traction tires or they don't have tires of any sort.   Without changing the wheels, you really don't have an option(traction tires fit into machined slots in the wheel castings).

Unless you are referring to the "whitewalls" on Flyer steamers?

[gasblender37]

Can someone explain to me the difference between traction tires and non-traction tires and is it better to have traction tires on the back set and the front set?

Thanks,

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