I have an old tyco ho scale model of a F7 Aunit I was wondering if I should put it into maintenace of way service or retire the unit. It is probably 30+ years old now and it doesen’t pull very well(how can i fix it traction tires are gone). also what do you use for your MOW service
ShaunCN
I don’t have a dedicated MOW loco, though it’s usually an Athearn SW7 in Amtrak livery with a short train of Walther’s Amtrak hoppers and matching caboose - need to track down more hoppers as I’ve only got the one at the moment!
On the subject of traction tyres, I’d suggest that you find out what diameter the wheels are on the loco and then find a supply of traction tyres that are the same size - a more recent loco with identical-sized wheels for which spare traction tyres are available should be out there. Alternatively, if (like most traction-tyred locos I’ve encountered) it only has tyres on one side of each wheelset, you might be able to rewheel it using parts from a second-hand or non-runner loco of the same make and model. You’ll need to add a little ballast to compensate for the loss of the tyres, but it should be ok.
Can’t you add additional weight to compensate for the missing tires?
I believe Stewart Products manufactures replacement traction tires.
Many locos with traction tires have grooves in the wheels to accomodate the tires. Adding weight would not help in this instance.
Personally, unless cost, sentiment, or unavailability make this impossible, I’d make this engine a scenery item in my backshop, and obtain a better model.
I too have a Tyco F7 that is about the same age as yours. It was part of my first trainset. What I did was to replace the two plastic wheels on the rear truck ( these have the groves for the traction tires) with same sized plastic wheels without the tire grove. I obtained my wheels from another (newer) Tyco locomotive that is broken beyond repair.
I don’t run this loco very much anymore, but I keep it around because it got me started in this great hobby.
Dale B.
Since I am an avid and forthright supporter of keeping equipment servicable as long as possible, I suggest a rebuild. In this case all of the tyco drive componets are junk. I would buy a new F-Unit frame and Drive from Proto-Power West. Find some Athearn “Blomberg B” trucks some where and put them on the new trucks. I would also get a Close Coupling, and Diaphram Kit from American Models Limited, This might also be a good time to put in a walthers F-Unit detail set, as well as an American Model Builders Lazer cut window set. and I guess since I got you this far into it, might as well drill out the fans and replace them with the photoetched replacements offered by Cannon and Company.
When complete, run through the paint shop and apply your favorite railroad paint scheme.
Good Luck.
Or just buy an Athearn Genesis unit - it will be less expensive.
I posted this elsewhere on these forums:
Stewart Products makes replacement traction tires in N, and (I believe) HO. One reader suggested in a “workshop” column in one of the magazines, taking a piece of masking tape, cutting it into very thin strips, and wrapping it around the wheel. Yet another suggested some kind of rubber bands used for teeth braces.
I’ve used the Stewart product with mixed results. The other approaches I haven’t tried.
I wonder if filling the groove with silicone bathtub caulk would work, at least in the larger scales.
I don’t mean to sound like I’m putting anyone down, because I realize that a lot of people can’t afford the higher quality items, but unless this Tyco locomotive has a lot of sentimental value it’s not worth the cost and effort of trying to replace the traction tires. Traction tires are available but are relatively expensive and are probably going to cost more than you paid for the loco in the first place, because the only way they are available is in bulk mounted on an application tool. At the local train club we give Tyco locomotives and rolling stock to children who attend our open houses because I have never seen one that ran good enough to use on a club layout, especially during an open house when we want to have locomotives running unattended for an extended period of time. Bachmann locomotives and rolling stock that come with Christmas train sets are also not worth trying to save.
thnks guys for all your help. I got this F7 unit from my father(i am 15 years old) and I really like it, so I guesse I will try to find replacement tires. Could I put more woight in th eloco instead. The weels that are supposed to have the traction tires do have a groove in them for the tires.
ShaunCN
[8D]
But then all the modeling is done for you,. what fun would that be! [8D][:)][8D][:)][8D]
Then I must be waisting my time then guys.[8D][:)][8D][:)][8D]
Actually I have been given alot of stuff that falls in what shall I say this “Substandard Model Railroad Equipment” classification by friends and family. Since these people also regulary see the layout, I have tried to make a full faith effort to use their gifts to full effect. I once did the project I described above on a pair of old Varney/Life-Like F-Units so they could head up a Santa Fe Passenger Train I was working. They turned out nice, and allowed me to say that these were the engines that so and so, (in this case my grandma) had given me.