Hello
Is it difficult to replace the rubber traction tires on an HO scale steam engine?
Or should I just take it to the hobby shop and let them do it.
thanks
This is fairly simple to do - the hardest part is removing the crankpins and rods to allow the new tyre to fit, on some models these are a very tight push-fit and are easily damaged when attempting to remove them. If you feel comfortable removing the pins, the rest of the change is easy enough - just be careful that the tyres aren’t stretched when fitting or they won’t stay on the rims properly. Hope this is of help!
After the tire is on, I suggest putting a very small drop of ACC (Superglue) on each side of each tire to keep it from slipping. Wipe off the excess quickly.
Not wishing to contradict any of the other members, who I respect. I have had issues with my traction tires. I have a Rivarossi Allegheny and FEF-3, both with tires. A year ago I wore out the tires on the Allegheny and replaced them with Stewart tires. Soon after I noticed a wobble in the tire and figured I’d warped the Driver. Absolutely disheartened I removed the tire and the wobble disapeared. I asked a few locals and was told the following:
In order for a traction tire to work properly it has to be stretched to its maximum limit. This will remove any bumps and other deformities allowing the engine to run smoothly. It also means not have to use glue, which is one less thing to go askew.
Whether this rule applies to other manufacturers I can’t answer that but Stewart, now Bowser, does make a device that stretches the tire and allows easy installation, circumventing the risk of damaging the axles.
Fergie
Do they make different size tires for different size drivers? A tire on an 80" driver would certainly be too big for a 52" diver or 69" driver.
Heating the tire in a cup of hot water makes it easier to put on.
Flip
While we’re on the traction tire subject–my Allegheny slipped its tires about two months after I got it. I said the Heck with it, removed them and didn’t replace them. Loco still runs beautifully and still pulls the paint off of the walls. Most of the newer BLI’s that I’ve acquired come with an extra driver set with traction tires, I haven’t bothered to put them on because the locos run so well without them. I’m not ANTI-traction tire by any means, but in my case at least, it doesn’t seem to make much difference at all. And I pull long trains on my layout (30-40 cars) with occasional stretches of 2.4% grades. The lack of traction tires on my Allegheny, J-1a and Santa Fe Northern doesn’t seem to affect their pulling power at all. Just a thought.
Tom
I hate those traction tires, and just wi***hat Rivarossi hadn’t used them. When I see an advertisement today for a locomotive and it says “traction tires” I don’t even consider purchasing one of them. Here in the hot, dry Arizona climate traction tires don’t last even one year before they are dried out, cracked, and slipping. At least Broadway Limited provides an option of no traction tires on their locos. Diesels are easy to replace, but steam is another story.
I also run my Allegheny ex tires on level track only. I suspect slippage up a grade.
I’m running my Atearn Challenger with them until they wear off and then, we will see.
I’m not a fan of traction tires, either. I prefer not to have them, as they ruin the profile of the wheel and are often not easily replaced (at least with the correct size). With the track cleaning solvents a lot of guys use, the lifetime of traction tires is most probably adversely affected. I’m glad to see at least one manufacturer has given the modeler a choice.
Mark C.