Traction Tires; Anyone having problems with them

[Anonymous]

My Allegheny came out of the roundhouse today and was having problems negotiating the grade. Turned it over and found the traction tires were GONE! I put a new pair on and even though she is hauling as she should there seem to be a problem with the Drivers wanting to climb the rail and hop over it.

Any ideas

[dave9999]

I assume your refering to the Rivarossi Allegheny. Mine lost a traction tire on the first test
run. Luckly it just slipped off, and I put it back on. I haven't had a problem with it since.Dave

[AggroJones]

If the driver with the tire isn't grooved to fit the tire on, just remove the tire and clean the wheels. That large, heavy sucker has enough tractive force without rubber bands.
If they are grooved to accept the tire, file it down until the treadway is even. Use a 4" fine needle file to safely remove the rim.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

If the driver with the tire isn't grooved to fit the tire on, just remove the tire and clean the wheels. That large, heavy sucker has enough tractive force without rubber bands.
If they are grooved to accept the tire, file it down until the treadway is even.

Aggro,
That has got to be the worst advice I have ever heard someone give. This loco sells
for up to $600 depending on where you purchase it. It is grooved to except traction tires and comes with them. Suggesting that someone "file" the wheels on a model
like this one is crazy. Dave

[dave9999]

Fergie,
Make sure the traction tire doesn't have a twist in it. Dave

[Anonymous]

OK I've been wondering about that seems there's abit of "wandering". I just hate having to pull things apart again and and again.
Go easy on Aggro though as he meant well. I'm not one for "mods" unless they are a last resort. Besides I wouldn't file I'd put it the lathe.
Knowing Rivarossi, a new set of axle and wheels would cost me $30+ Cdn.

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus


Go easy on Aggro though as he meant well. I'm not one for "mods" unless they are a last resort. Besides I wouldn't file I'd put it the lathe.

Sorry, it just shocked me. I could just picture someone with a big file, scraping away
at their new Allegheny because "they read somewhere" this was the fix. Dave

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

OK I've been wondering about that seems there's abit of "wandering". I just hate having to pull things apart again and and again.

Fergie,
If a twist is the problem, you can usually get it out using a couple of toothpicks. Dave

[Anonymous]

Ugh! Traction Tires.[}:)]
This is gonna sound like tough medicine, and I am sure it is going to open up the whining faucets, but get rid of the engine. Traction tires are nothing but a heartache[banghead] and you are better off without them. Not only are they a fit problem, but the crud up clean track like crazy. [:p][:p]
Metal Drivers plus metal wheel on all rolling stock = never having to say "I'm sorry, I spent all night cleaning track and didn't run a damn thing!!"[:0]

[Anonymous]

I have the Allegheny. Also had some of the older rivs with traction tires. In one case, of out of the box
the traction tire was off.
In the case of the Allegheny, one came off. Couldn't get it to stay on so I took it off.. I run her only on level
track and there is no performance difference. Still hauls nine Athearn 70' HW,four lbs, topping out at 75 MPH..

[nfmisso]

I believe that Walthers has replacement axle assemblies without traction tires for the Rivarossi Allegheny; give them a call.....

[Anonymous]

All righty then I think Nigel may have the answer. It was funny after only 5 laps of the track the new traction tires (Stewart) were grey with dirt and half worn. I'm still waiting for my CMX track cleaner.

[cacole]

I have nothing but trouble with traction tires and no longer purchase any product that uses them. The dry, hot Arizona climate causes traction tires to dry out and crumble or stretch, and need replacement too often. Someone needs to come up with a more pliable and long lasting material for traction tires.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

I'm still waiting for my CMX track cleaner.

Yor will enjoy it. It's a very functional car.

[AggroJones]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

Sorry, it just shocked me. I could just picture someone with a big file, scraping away
at their new Allegheny because "they read somewhere" this was the fix. Dave

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones




And I'm not crazy, blood. [V]

Aggro.
We're all a little loco[8D]. But I was refering to filling an expensive locomotive, not
your mental state. Peace. Dave

[Anonymous]

Not an Allegheny but mine are working just fine. [:D]



Modified from 4-8-4 to a 4-6-4 with the installation of traction tries.

[Eriediamond]

LOL snake[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]

[orsonroy]

Before P2K came out with their erkshire, my mainstay of power was the Rivarossi Berk. The engines were cranky and didn't run very well, but they did pull like mad (75 twin hoppers on the flat). I didn't know thay came with traction tires until they started popping off. I laid in a supply of them for this eventuality, but was VERY happy when the P2K engine didn't come with TT's.

I now buy only steam without traction tires. Yes, pulling performance suffers, but at least the things won't break, leaving you with a useless engine.

[baggaley]

here in the UK these are a plague, I get rid of them whenever I can and use plain wheels. True we don't usually use such huge trains but I've never had haulage problems without them. The older Athearn diesels with iron wheels would pull a house down

[Anonymous]

Why didnt your loco come with the other wheelset that doesnt have the groove? My FEF-3's both came with the non grooved wheels and axle so you can switch them out.
Only word of advice I can give is look out for the electrical pickups that rub the backs of the wheels they are like fine hair and can break off easy.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe that optional non-tire feature came out until the release of the FEF-3.

[Virginian]

If you put them on with just a tiny bit of Superglue they stay on. Above, I believe he was advising to file the tires to fit, not the wheels. Sound advice.
I guess I am alone, but I like traction tires. I bought four boxes of Stewart replacements about 20 years ago and have used just two (I bought them because I already needed one). Where does all this dirt that people are fanatical about come from? Yes, my tires get dark gray, but my rails don't, and I rarely clean them. Maybe this is another reason for me to not want DCC.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian

If you put them on with just a tiny bit of Superglue they stay on.

A tiny bit but is that in one spot or a couple of different spots around the wheel?

Thanks in advance.

[Virginian]

I use two or three itty bitty (Very technical term) dabs spaced around the wheel. Move the tire aside and apply in the groove with a straight pin.