Traction Tires

[nickelplater]

I have had my first ever traction tire casualty with my MTH AMTRAK genesis diesel.  I found one tire pinched between the truck and side plate.  The second tire was found inside a tunnel.  The loco ran fine .That is why I did not notice the tire problem. 

 My questions are as follows:

 Since the tires fell off, they must be defective.  Is that a true statement.

Can the tires be remounted or should I discard them.

Should glue be used to install a new tire, or is it a tension fit?

Thanks to all for your help.

Rick

[phillyreading]

Rick,

The question of traction tires! If a traction tire comes off you must replace(don't matter what brand) it as it lost its ability to stay on the wheel, in plain English it expanded.  I have replaced four traction tires on an MTH steamer I have, used the replacements from the factory and then bought a set of two more from my hobby shop. I have tried using rubber based glue only to have the tire come off a day later, so there is NO cure other than to replace the tire! Also had to replace a set of traction tires on an MTH diesel. Seems that MTH traction tires wear out quicker than Williams traction tires.

To replace the traction tires sometimes you must remove parts; on steam engines usually the side rods need to be dropped, on diesels you need to remove the side steps and fake brake housing which can lead to seperating the motor from the wheel assembly and then removing a couple of screws. Depends on which brand you have how much work you will have for tire replacements.

Lee F.

 

[DMUinCT]

Well Rick, Traction Tires do fail, often.  It's a "normal wear" part, not defective. 

 They will even age and brake up just sitting as a shelf display. Exposed to oil or just tugging a load they will fail.   Rubber stretches and does age.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

They can be remounted but will most likly fail again. Most Owner's Manuals show you how to change a tire.

 Glue in place, does work but makes a lot more work when you finally replace them.

I buy a bag of ten at Train Shows to keep a few on hand.  Almost any dealer will sell you a few, some might even give you a couple if that's all you need.  The last bag I bought (at TCA York) was from MTH and was marked "O gauge # DE 0000018".

 

[RockIsland52]

Regarding these traction tires, am I correct in that even when using an adhesive they can become dislodged?

Second, when remounting the new tires, do they seat well (as in perfectly round) or do you have to work on that a bit?

Thank you, Jack

[Berk765]

Yes they will sit perfectly round.

[DMUinCT]

RockIsland52

Regarding these traction tires, am I correct in that even when using an adhesive they can become dislodged?

Second, when remounting the new tires, do they seat well (as in perfectly round) or do you have to work on that a bit?

Thank you, Jack

Mounted with adhesive they stay put, just wear faster.  It's a temp repair, when you do have to change the tires you will have to scrape out the glue to get the new tire to sit right.

The new tires just snap in place in the grooves.  I have used MTH Tires on K-Line engines, it's almost one size fits all with diesels.  Steam you would have to find the right size.

[Anonymous]

Think of traction tires as being similar to the tires on your automobile, both are subject to wear and eventually need to be replaced. It's best to discard the worn tires and slip the replacement tires in place just like the OEM. Use of glue or any other foreign substance only serves to foul the wheel tread and is not recommended.

[lionelsoni]

There is an article on page 54 of the January, 2011, CTT about changing traction tires.

[ChiefEagles]

A lot of train repair books written lately suggest you get one size smaller in diameter and they will stay on better.  I find traction tires will last a long time unless you get wheel spin from over loading or rapid starts and stops.

[Taranwanderer]

Two words:  Bullfrog Snot.  The stuff works well, I applied it to my 2026 (non-magnetraction) PW loco, and it now pulls as well or better than my 2037 (the identical engine but with magnetraction.)  It's easy to apply:  you turn the loco upside down on a cradle, run it slowly in one direction, and apply the Bullfrog Snot with a toothpick.  The centrifugal force of the wheels turning helps spread the stuff out evenly, and after a little patience with the drying period, you've got an effective traction tire that will last way longer than a rubber one.  You just can't coat too many of the wheels or you'll lose electrical conduction.  It's more economical than paying for tires.  I'll never buy a traction tire again!  

[lionelsoni]

When the traction tires failed on my Rail King Big Boy several years ago, I found that I didn't need them.  The locomotive is heavy enough to pull as long a train as my layout will allow without them.  At first I worried about the smaller diameter of the tired drivers and even tried to buy replacement wheels from MTH without the grooves.  They wouldn't sell anything less than a very expensive entire engine assembly; but I soon learned that there was no problem running without tires.

I also discovered that, because there is less weight on the front engine, I can get those drivers to slip in a satisfyingly realistic way for a moment by putting the voltage up abruptly when starting.

 

[Melissa Outten]

I have a RailKing Model RK 1114 LP Mohawk Texas and Pacific Steam Engine.  The manual tells how to change the tires but not the tire size.  The chart     http://www.mth-railking.com/service/parts/Traction-Tire-chart.pdf    is confusing.  I would say that the DE-23 is what I need but the wheel measures closer to a DE-25 or DE-27.  Any ideas - I have searched the web and still am no closer to finding the right ones.