First post so we’ll see how this goes, I’m a bit of a rambler (forewarning 
)
I already know I won’t have enough information for this question but I’m going to ask it anyway along with some of the history
I’ve built a N scale layout on a 8’ x 4’ plywood base, no questions on the track and layout though, I feel this has worked out pretty well (except in retrospect I think I made a few corners too sharp). Once I get my hands dirty in the forums here I’ll post up some screen shots and such (the layout is very busy and not “life like”, I was going for “how much track can I fit on a sheet of plywood?” lol).
Anyway, this all started from an old HO layout that I had as a kid and at the time N was just not the “thing” and frankly I’m not sure how much “N” there was in 1979. I recently yanked off all the HO stuff to put N on it because not long after I finished my HO layout (back in '79), I was given from my Dad an all inclusive pre-made foam N scale layout (it was probably around ‘85, maybe ‘83), about 2’ x 2’, track and all that was glued to the foam, wasn’t meant to be removed, etc, but the engine and rolling stock was good IMHO. It was an old Chessie diesel engine. So now, 25 years later, after it sat in a box for those many years and the foam layout had long been destroyed from moving several times and after my main line on my new layout was done I went on a mission to find it.
I found the engine and not “thinking” I just put it on the track, started it up, looped it around the main line grinning ear to ear being happy it worked at all. Well as it turns out I needed to lube it up some as it started squealing a bit, so I did that and it worked much better. But the next issue I hit was new to me and one I can’t seem to find any info on. The engine has 8 wheels, the rear 4 power the engine and the front 4 power t
What you’re referring to are called “traction tires” and they are still quite common in N scale steam locomotives, less so on diesels. Yes, the problem probably is a type of deterioration of the rubber/plastic over time.
You might try your local hobby shop to see if they can order replacement tires from the manufacturer to go on the wheels, or try contacting the service dept of the manufacturer involved to see if you can order them direct.
By the way, welcome to the forum.
Regards
Ed
At the hobby shop they should have genaric replacement traction tires. They’re pretty cheap and they work good.
As you’ve discovered, not all loco’s have them. It’s kind of a tossup as with them you get added traction, without them you get better electrical pickup.
you can replace the traction tires. you can get them at a hobby shop. i wouldn’t replace the wheels with ones that don’t need the tires because with only four wheels supplying traction you will need all of it that you can get. don’t solder them or fill them with caulk. several months ago i replaced traction tires on a 50 year old american flyer ho hudson. it still runs beautifly.
I bet you have a Mehano Yugo. Made in Yougoslavia eons ago. They had poor motors, bad pickup, oversize details & Crapido couplers. You’d be lucky to find one with a decent paint scheme, like B&O’s 50th Ann Diesel GP40 in “gold” paint.
You may try to fit small rubber bands to replace the TT. After that, chances are the pancake motor will short out & burn. THen you can cut up the carbody for scrap.
Not to bump what is beginning to be an “old post” but I thought I’d throw out what I’ve done to get some feed back and opinions.
Wdlgln005, I think you are correct because that is the only “text” I’ve found on the entire engine was Yugoslavia on it.
I couldn’t find the “exact” thing (tire) I was looking for, so I made my own traction tires, I feel as though I “invented” this because I couldn’t find any posts from folks that had tried this before. I’m not sure this would work for every type of traction tire but at the same time not real sure why it would not.
Materials list:
-
I cleaned the tires making sure all the particles from the old rubber had been removed.
-
Squirted a bit of clear silicone caulk onto my work surface (paper plate)
-
Saturated the thread in the silicone (it gets a bit sloppy but it isn’t too difficult to clean off your hands)
-
Wrapped the thread around the “void” where the traction tire would normally reside. I started with a slip knot and it may take a few times to allow the wrapping to go on without the slip not sliding (think of a yoyo but you don’t want the loop around the yoyo to slip).
-
After a couple loops you can start applying more tension to make the loops compress and become “tight”. Once you’re at the proper level (took about 20 loops for my tires), cut the remaining thread and press it into the loops you’ve made (I didn’t create a knot at this stage, I just used a toothpick to push the thread into the loops). A good analogy that came to mind was how one would make a fly fishing lure.
-
Use a toothpick or similar device to clean any residual caulk off the tires. Allow 24 hours to cure. Confirm all residue is cleaned off once it is dry.
<
That sounds like a pretty clever solution, Jason, assuming it holds. Silicone is tough, so it should. You should introduce yourself over on ‘The “N” Crowd’ where all of the Nvisible people hang out.