Can someone explain how much of a difference magnetraction adds to a PW locomotive.
For example a 2018 and 2037 are the same engine except for the magnetraction, so the 2037 with pull a lot more cars and have less wheel slip? I have a 5 x 9 layout, so I will probably never be pulling more than 7 or 8 cars (including the cabose) so would magnetraction be neccessary for my layout?
From what I have read before the Pros are more pulling power and less wheel slip especially on a incline.
(Please correct me if I am wrong)
Are there other Pros? And conversly are there Cons to magnetraction?
Magnatraction is very good for inclines and pulling more freight cars and will hold the track better. As for the 2037 it was produced in more years and had the 2037-500 girl's engine and tender in pink, while both the 2018 and 2037 could have the same number on the tender.
I had an engine with magnatraction and really liked it but the motor gave me some bad problems, it was a 235 scout engine from the 1960's. The center roller wheels were extremely difficult to replace and the bruch holders had to be put back in the exact placing or the engine would go only one direction.
Lee F.
Don't know what the difference is but the post war magnetraction was far superior to later versions, even to the point of having a 2003 model GP7 converted from magnetraction to traction tires.
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One down side is that it requires steel track. When I started in the hobby I knew no better and started with Atlas which is nickel. That is one reason I switched to FasTrack.
Personnally I prefer speed control and traction tires to Magnatraction.
Lehigh Valley Railroader Are there other Pros? And conversly are there Cons to magnetraction?
The only "con" I ever heard of was that the magnetized wheels could pick up bits of ferrous crud (like small screws) from around the track, which would eventually have to be cleaned off.
As for me, I have a burning hatred of traction tires, and would willingly convert the one and only locomotive I own with them to Magne-Traction, if it weren't something of a collector's item.
OGR has a video in which they compare magnatraction locomotives (FM Trainmaster) to modern versions with traction tires from MTH. The MTH was a far better puller. Of course, take what you will from this, but there are some advantages to some modern pieces. With regard to traction tires, I hope to pick up some "BullFrog Snot" to replace those when needed.
If you are limiting your choice to post war and more specifically, the 2018 vs 2037, I would go for the 2037. They can both be found very reasonably these days. Also, keep in mind that some magnatraction can lose its strength, so test it with a piece of steel rail before you buy. I don't see a downside to having it though. In the future, you may want some grades and that can make a difference.
As with most purchases, the above information can be engine specific. A two motor powered unit is better, and all motors are not the same.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
Remember that the old Lionel cars with metal trucks were fairly heavy and didn't roll nearly as well as the later MPC plastic truck cars did (although in pretty much all other ways the old cars were better). You needed anything you could come up with to pull a sizeable train, and magnatraction helped.
I wouldn't think the alnico magnets would wear out too much over time. A bit off topic but many rock stars today use electric guitars built in the 1950's which have alnico magnets in the pickups, and they still work fine...in fact, some players claim that as the magnets lose a little strength, it actually sweetens the sound.
Dennis,
I tried to re-glue a traction tire with rubber cement but it only held for about a week. The traction tires when they go bad or come off need re-placing!
What is Bull Frog Snot? Is it similar to Gorilla Snot(is yellow and comes in a squeeze tube) used in the automotive field to hold the rubber seal in around the car's trunk?
No one mentioned that magnetraction (or MAGNE-TRACTION, as Lionel called it, but not magnAtraction!) will keep a locomotive from tipping over in a curve. Traction tires are useless for this purpose.
Bob Nelson
wjstix I wouldn't think the alnico magnets would wear out too much over time. A bit off topic but many rock stars today use electric guitars built in the 1950's which have alnico magnets in the pickups, and they still work fine...in fact, some players claim that as the magnets lose a little strength, it actually sweetens the sound.
Supposedly, it happens over a long period of time when the pieces are not stored correctly. This is what I have heard over the years from train repair folks, but my knowledge on this subject is limited to the pieces I have on hand.
Bob, thanks for correcting my use of MagnE-Traction.
lionelsoni No one mentioned that magnetraction (or MAGNE-TRACTION, as Lionel called it, but not magnAtraction!) will keep a locomotive from tipping over in a curve. Traction tires are useless for this purpose.
For some with postwar without dual motors, it really makes a positive noticeable difference.
The single engined postwar Alcos, for example, can positively surprise some with their pulling power if the magnets are strong, the track and wheels are clean, the consist well lubricated, and there are no over the top grades.
Magne-traction helps overcome rolling stock that is less than perfectly lubricated.....a problem I have with one friend that comes over with some of his consist pieces that are well preserved but haven't seen a drop of oil in decades. Then he looks stupified when his 671RR (no magne-traction) can't pull exactly what he remembers it could do 5 or 6 decades ago, or can't hold a candle to my 2046 with MT. Personally, I think he is just trying to get me to do his cleaning and lubrication for him and has no patience for it. He leaves his stuff at my place, and I find myself unable to leave his pieces in an unmaintained state and do it for him.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
I prefer Magna-Traction. smooth no wobble wheels, no tires to come loose or replace. Traction tires will help an engine pull more cars but as mentioned it won't help hold the track and there is some maintanence involved.
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Wheel slip is very common with real trains. Rich Melvin, of OGR fame, has a video entitled "Runnin' That New River Train". Most of the video shows Rich trying to control wheel slippage.
Earl
The only engine I ever broke was an 1110 2-4-2 w/o magnetraction. It really helps on 027 curves, in my never to be humble opinion. Bought a new motor for it, still no magnetraction. I've been told one with will fit it. Maybe someday I'll get one of those.
My magnetraction locos will pull the fairly steep grade going to the upper 'mountain' level, even though the wheels slip a bit. The engines without magnetraction will not go up even with a short consist.
Charlie
I have both the 2056 and 646 postwar steamers. Same engines, escept the former does not have MagnE-Traction. Botjh are surprisingly good pullers on my flat layout with 031 curves. The non Mag 2056 will easily pull 10 to 12 heavy psotwar freights. The 646 will pull more. So I would say heavy weight steamers without Mag are OK for a flat, small to medium layout.
On the other hand, a non-mag GG1 I have does not pull many cars at all. But I think this is as much a consequence of the odd design as anything else. I'd buy a later twin motor with Mag if they weren't so *** expensive.
runtime
Can't give you any technical information BUT if you want my opinion, based on my personal experiences, I prefer not to have to change another traction tire.
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