I have several BLI, PCM, Rivarossi, and other locomotives That use traction tires that are NOT on the geared drivers. They all have various BAD habits because of this. Some of them SURGE, some WOBBLE, and some (like the PCM I1sa 2-10-0) that quite literally STOP momentarily at slow speeds with every rotation of the drivers. The real problem is they run perfectly with the tire-equipped drivers removed, then they don’t PULL worth a crap! I have found a somewhat solution to this problem, and it works really well (although somewhat difficult and messy in some cases). The problem seems to occur because the tires on many models are on driver sets that are powered ONLY by the siderods. This seems to cause some pretty obvious BINDING issues due to the stress on the rods (I can also see how eventual premature wear could occur to the rods). You guys with this problem should try some “Bullfog Snot” on the geared drivers, remove the tires, and see a remarkable difference! I have contacted NWSL to see if they have ever considered making tire-equipped GEARED replacement driver sets for many of the most popular models, but I doubt that will happen. If the Snot was a little easier to use, and to remove if you screw up, it sure would be nicer. The only real problems I’ve had is the Snot “clumping up” and not leaving a smooth tire, then the fun starts getting it off!
Oh, and by the way, those of you who have the troublesome PCM/BLI Pennsy I1sa: The Snot works very well on the flangeless driver (geared). Just be sure to remove the bottom cover to get rid of the brake shoes. Clean the wheels, lay a good heavy layer of snot on there, and keep those wheels spinning until the shi…I mean SNOT sets up! Turns almost clear. I have had this loco for almost TWO YEARS, and it has NEVER run right until I tried this! I have replaced everything in it’s drivetrain with no luck, until now.
Easiest fix for the PCM is to simply put back the non-traction tired drive set that came witht he loco. IN fact the standard ont hemw as to NOT have the traction tired wheelset installed. I still have both sets of traction-tire drivers formy two T-1 4-8-4’s packed int eh boxes - I will NEVER use them. I’m sure htey are better than in days of old, but so many bad experiences with cheap traction tires makes me avoid them like the plague. ANd none of my modern locos needs them, they pull PLENTY of cars. The 4-8-4’s will pull 100 VERY heavily weighted (at least NMRA weight WITHOUT the cast loads, plus the weight of the loads) coal hoppers ont he club layout, no traction tires needed. I can’t believe the I1 would be worse. If it’s like the 4-8-4, only the first and last drives have springs - one of the bearings is often upside down in these locos, preventing proper spring action and keeping the weight off some of the drivers, which is just about the worst thing for a steam loco.
The absolute WORST thing is traction tires + enough weight in the loco to cause it to stall rather than slip its wheels. This is asking for a burned out motor or decoder if DCC equipped. The spinning wheels are sort of a safety valve so that it you try to put too many cars on or go up too steep a grade, it will spin and not stall, protecting the motor. Too many traction tires or too much Snot will make it stall instead.
–Randy
Unfortunately, your response simply does not apply here. The I1sa, in particular, will not pull 20 freight cars without tires. Mine has the “long distance” tender which looks kinda wrong to be pulling such short trains. It came equipped with tires, but ran jerky at low speeds with them, as did the late-model NW J class. The Snot on the geared drivers allowed me to remove the tire equipped drivers and still pull acceptably well. (with none of the side-effects of the tires). The part about the “displaced axle bearings” also does NOT apply here, as it is not the case. I prefer not to have tires at all, and most of my locos don’t, but sometimes help is needed.
So far, I’ve had good luck with Bull Snot on a Decapod (Bachmann) with sound. I may be proven wrong over time, but aside from wheel slippage, I believe that if one has a “trained” ear (pardon the pun), that is one of a musician and recording engineer (which I am) motor stress will be detected by ear and visual observation and tell you if the B.S. is giving enough traction to overcome stalling.
Admittedly not everyone has this aural and visual aptitude or experience and it could be a problem, but so far, on many forums I haven’t read of anyone burning out a motor or causing overdue wear due to the use of Bullfrog Snot.
I’ll continue to use it until I have a bad experience but so far, I’m sold on it and think it’s a tremendous improvement over traction tires and the attendant driver removals, etc. If one’s layout has 3% grades or more, it can be a welcomed tool in the box.
If you’re trying to get an 8 car train, for example, it can work well without concern. If you’re trying to pull a 25-30 car train with a Bachmann Decopod then you probably deserve a burned out engine!!! Some common sense will prevail using B. Snot.
In summary, if one is simply REPLACING already existing traction tires with B.S. I just can’t see how it’s causing any stresses that the original pain in the neck rubber tires did. It’s simply a more wear resistant and easier to apply method of getting the same thing. Adding more weight or going for a ridiculous number of added rolling stock is a different issue and that’s where care and close observation would be needed.
Anyone here have a burned out motor or other issues using Bullfrog Snot simply to increase pulling capacity by a sensible amount? I know at least 4 users on large layouts with up to 3% grades who have had no issues at all over a couple of years.
Just report in’…
Jim
Jim
Snot works as advertised, but I would advise not to use it on small locos with limited electrcal pickup, snot will insulate the wheels. Better to add weight if possible. I removed snot from all of my locos, a good sharp XActo knife working from the flange out will do it (loco powered up and running) be sure to clean all of the debris off the loco. Just an FYI to all considering using it.