I have some expensive (DCC) and not so expensive (DC) locomotives that have “traction” wheels. Look like. Rubber O ring around a wheel.
Do these get damaged when you clean wheels using the paper towel on the tracks method or using a tidy track wheel cleaner? How do you replace them?
Exactly which brand? Some are a rubber O ring. Some like a rubber tire.
Rich
There was some discussion about them here recently:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/260892.aspx
The OP even made a video.
I don’t exactly know how many of my locomotives have traction tires, at least two-dozen. The only one I have ever changed was on a Broadway Limited NYC Hudson because it was slightly out-of-round causing a bit of a wobble. Some of these engines are fifteen years old and still have the original tires on them.
Good Luck, Ed
BLI
I don’t have any, so I cannot speak from personal experience. But generally the paper towel on the track method requires that some downward force be placed on the locomotive to keep it from running away. I think I would be careful doing this.
At the club we had a tunnel derailment where the articulated (I think BLI) was prevented from moving by the derailed equipment. The operator’s reaction to the “why isn’t my train coming out of the tunnel” issue was to increase power to the loco. The traction tire prevented the loco from slipping until the motor spun the tire off the driver.
Holy $#!+
Guess ill wait to see if BLI answers