my blue line big boy arrived yesterday , here is my comment

I don’t like running my 4-8-4s on an 18" radii. I wonder if mans. advertise that they can run on 18" (well they CAN, albeit with problems like the case of our original poster here) so they can better sell thier models.

Just double checked. The T1 has a set of flanged drivers with it to replace the blind drivers, but not to replace the traction tyres.

The Big Boy has no spare drivers at all ans traction tyres as standard, although it does come with spare tyres.

I’m sure there are posts about this on the BLI board.

As far as the 18" curves go, it won’t look good but if it’s all you can do and it looks OK to you then why not?

This is true, but looking ‘ok’ is a matter of opinion.

I am still waiting for a proper Big Boy in plastic (as are many others), I just cant part with my monies with the compromises involved.

David B

Traction tires are the cheap way to get pulling power. Otherwise adding more weight means a bigger motor, right? and bigger & better motors cost $$$.

Traction tires also wear and break. The wheels using them have to be ‘grooved’ to fit. When that happens, the ‘grooved’ wheels become an impediment.

If you cannot find exact replacements, you will need a large beer mug to cry into. BETTER to order them now, and save them for that eventual day.

DO you even know what size wheels you will need tires for?

depends on what u like and think , this big boy’s motor is so powerful , if no traction tires on this engine , the driver wheels can still move while using your hand to hold the engine, it shows that it can not achieve its maximum pulling power even though it’ s heavy enough . especially the front driver truck.

for the medium or small engines , traction tires would not be a bad choice.

actually , bli should have the replacement driver sets with no tires for different needs,