Old Engine Repair Question

[FRRYKid]

Got an opinion question for my Forum friends. I have a trio of old (older then me) AHM U-25C engines. One of them has been down for quite awhile with blown traction tires. I have two olptions that I have seen for fixing the issue.

1. I can get a set of 4 OEM traction tires for around $17.00.
2. I can get a jar of Bullfrog Snot for around $25.00 but that would be a little more work. (I have used the Snot for adding traction to an engine before.)

Those engines are the only ones I have with traction tires. Before someone suggests a third option of the NWSL replacement wheels, the sets are quite expensive. (I purchased one only to discover that I don't have the needed gear puller and one of those is quite expensive as well.)

The other two engines have shown no indication of the tires blowing but who knows when they might.

As usual any suggestions would be most welcomed.

[mobilman44]

It's been a long time since I dealt with traction tires, so bear with me.  I recall replacing the rubber band (or flexible plastic) around the tires of one loco, and that worked pretty well.  If you don't use the loco that much, a suitable rubber band would do the job.  If you expect to give the loco heavy and/or frequent use, then I would get new tires.

I found suitable rubber bands on Ebay, and I believe they were assorted sizes and possibly used by orthadontists back when.

[maxman]

If that engine has a groove into which the rubber ring fits, I don't see how the bullfrog stuff will work.

[sandjam]

HO Traction Tires from lovetrainhobbies;

HO SCALE TRACTION TIRES - DIESEL/ELECTRIC/STEAM LOCOMOTIVE , HO LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENTS (lovetrainhobbies.com)

 

[snjroy]

maxman

If that engine has a groove into which the rubber ring fits, I don't see how the bullfrog stuff will work.

 

I agree. I have used bullfrog snot and it works best using a very thin coat. A thicker coat gets lumpy. You would need something fairly thick to fill the groove. A remplacement traction tire is preferable, as suggested by others.

Simon

[FRRYKid]

sandjam

HO Traction Tires from lovetrainhobbies;

HO SCALE TRACTION TIRES - DIESEL/ELECTRIC/STEAM LOCOMOTIVE , HO LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENTS (lovetrainhobbies.com) 

Hadn't heard of that site before. I will need to measure the wheels in question to determine size.

Thank you for all the assistance. I have heard people have praise for the snot, but that answers that question.