BLI Traction Tires

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a BLI Hudson that is about 6 months old. Does anyone have any experience with installing the optional traction tire wheel set that is supplied with this loco. How do they run with the traction tires? I have Atlas No. 6 turnouts with the frogs powered on the mainline.I have a 2% maximum grade on the layout. Do you gain a substantial increase with the tires and is the performance hurt any?

2

I put the tires on my Mikado. It was easy, though I do not remember how I did it. The directions came with it and were clear. It runs fine on my 18 inch curves and pulls better than anything else I have. I have big inclines and it pulls everything up everything. If there is a negative, it is that it pulls way better than the prototype. I still double head my coal drag because it looks better, but the Mikado pulls the whole thing by itself to be truthful.

3

Putting the extra driver with a traction tire on any locomotive if done safely (Factory option is best like BLI does) will boost the pulling power of that engine very well.

My Reading T-1 will get installed with a driver tire because 10 heavyweights plus express headend cars is quite a train grade or no grade.

And yes I will use helpers if needed because they “Look better” Im with Arthill on this one.

For a bit of fun, I found this clip:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/cartrailor.html

4

Do you find that you need the additional traction? Very steep grades, wheel slipping? The only down side of tires is that if you ever do spin the wheels, you could throw a tire.
Bob K.

5

A small point, perhaps, is that if you rely on these traction wheels, and the rubber compound breaks down ( it will do this) over time, you will find yourself feeling the need to replace them. I suppose that can be done, but it is an expense that you will have to consider. Also, it could be a bit of a hassle if there is a shortage of supply, and therefore backorders.

Personally, I would alter my requirements, whether train length, engine type, or grades, so that I never had to deal with deteriorated traction wheels. Just another source of down time, to my way of thinking.