I am still anxiously waiting for my LHS to get in my order for the BLI 2-10-2 and the BLI 2-10-4. Meanwhile, I read on the BLI web site a 14-step procedure for removing the traction tire.
Ouch, 14 steps? By time I got done reading it, I felt like I could crack a safe open. Do I even want to remove the traction tire? Why not just leave it on. More importantly, why did BLI choose to install it in the first place?
They put it on so it would pull better. I have faith you can handle 14 steps. Run it, and if you don’t like it; swap wheelsets. I think they have a great system. I generally like traction tires because they allow me to much, much more closely duplicate the tractive effort of the prototype(s). A lot of people HATE traction tires and will expound at great length what they see as wrong with the system, but executed properly, traction tires work as intended and do not greatly affect the looks. They are of course free to dislike them as well. As to the non-prototypical agrgument; where are the electric motors, worm gears, and non-sprung wheels AND trucks on the prototypes. It will be your model, you decide.
Mine came with the traction tire in the box. I read the directions and put it on in about a half hour. It must have been easy, because I have no memories about it other than the impression that it was easy.
Richhotrain,
I visit the BLI site often to see if there’s any real news. Read the traction tire procedure and reaction was, “Whoa…brain surgery.” Per ArtHill comments the procedure must read worse than it really is.
Part that struck me was caution about disconnecting/connecting “X” (brake rigging?)part at 20 points. If this procedure was posted on 01-April I would have drawn the conclusion it was a “put on”.
Jon [:D]
My BLI 2-10-2 came to the house three weeks ago and it runs fairly good as delivered. If the traction tire gives any problems, I will remove it.
i would check with you LHS again since these models have been out almost a month.
Most often, in my experience, BLI ships locos with the option in a small baggy. Why they chose to attach them this time is mystifying. In any event, I have read a number of posts on this topic over the past 16 months, and the general consensus is that traction tires can be a let-down when (not if) they eventually deteriorate enough to begin to flake and tear, or even to become entirely dislodged from their grooves. You are then faced with an unusable loco…to the extent that it all bothers you, to be sure…or to replace the worn tire. Some won’t be put off by this by any means, while others will realize they have to learn a lot more about their loco suddenly…rarely a bad thing.
I have chosen to leave mine off, and if pulling gets bad, do what the real engines to…double up.
I actually put the traction tire ON my BLI ATSF 4-8-4, and it wasn’t hard at all, did it in about five minutes. I certainly don’t remember 14 steps for doing it, all I had to remember was to get those little square thingamabobs set right in the frame slots.
My BLI ATSF 2-10-2 came with the traction tire already installed, so I’m going to leave it. They don’t bother me, I can’t get all ‘rivet-counter’ about the pros or cons of traction tires, especially when I see the loco hauling a long string of freight cars up my grades with no problem at all. Hey, that’s why I bought the loco–to run and to HAUL, LOL!
Tom [:D]