Thought I’d let anyone who is considering losing the traction tyred wheels for the Blue Line Big Boy know that I’ve just done the conversion and it’s the best few bucks I’ve ever spent in terms of running improvement.
Recomended!!!
I’m sure supplies will not last for ever mind.
I am sure some engines do better, and thereby gratify their owners, when traction tires are in place. In that respect, it is either an afterthought by a determined owner, or it was foreseen by the manufacturers, or actually determined that they were going to be necessary for most owners at the time of development. In this case, who knows what they were thinking because you seem to have proof that they are unecessary. In the case of my BLI Niagara 4-8-4, the decision they reached is actually stated on the literature accompanying the engine: this engine is thought to be sufficiently heavy and powerful to not require traction tires, so none are included. Well, we could quibble on that one. It can’t pull as well as the Duplex T1 4-4-4-4 or my metal K4s (for its size). In some cases it’s a crap shoot…I guess.
I am happy to read that you are pleased with the outcome.
-Crandell
Hello there:
I was wondering, where did you order the non-traction tyre set?
Thanks
Mike
Mike,
I ordered them direct from BLI. When I spoke to the guy in the parts / service dept he knew exactly what I needed. I got a spare drawbar at the same time and shortened it to give a more realistic coupling appearance too.
Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against traction tyres per se, and have them on my BLI N&W A Class, which runs perfectly. It was just that the Big Boy wobbled like mad so this seemed like the way to go; and it works.
Jonathan