A friend of mine has an HO steam loco with traction tires. One of them keeps coming off. His hands shake, making it difficult for him to take it apart to put a new tire on. I suggested bullfrog snot as I have seen mentioned as a possible solution here on the forums. He felt the same problem would make it difficult. He is thinking of trying to attach the tire with CA glue. I have no experience with tracton tires, nor do I know what it takes to change such a critter. Haven't done much with CA either.
It's his favorite loco (naturally) to run while he railfans.
Has anyone tried this or do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks for your thoughts,
I would NOT use CA to attach a tracion tire. They do wear out, plus it'd be almost impossible to keep the glue between the wheel and the tire. Not to mention that as soon as the tire was rolled on it would stick, even if it's all twisted. Bullfrog Snot is probably the best option, and it can be renewed without disassembling the loco.
The BEST option of all would be a one time job of replacing the wheels that take traction wires with ones that don't. Since this is a steamer, most likely the traction tire wheelset is the gearedone. If it's not a BLI model (most of which come with a replacement geared axle without traction tires), there will be a little work involved requiring new wheels, a wheel puller, and a quartering jig to get everythign back together. I hate traction tires with a passion, a properly weighted and balanced loco does not need traction tires, a small 4-4-0 did not EVER pull 20 car passenger trains or 100 loaded freight cars all by itself. The wheels SHOULD spin when the loco is overloaded - this saves the motor from burning out.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If the traction tire keeps coming off the driver then the traction tire probably needs to be replaced.
Bullfrog Snot is not intended to replace traction tires. It is intended to be painted on wheels which do not have a traction tire groove.
CA glue should not be necessary. A traction tire should firmly grip the driver without any glues.
Not all traction tires are equal. There are different sizes, different materials, different cross sections.
It might be helpful to know the make and model of the locomotive in question.
Thank you for your thoughts. Kind of my feelings.
I will try to find out the make, etc and see if he has or can get some new tires.
Since he doesn't pull long trains with it, what would happen if he ran it with no traction tires on the wheels?
Looks like I may have to figure out how to change the tires for him. Any pointers on the job?
Thank you,