Steam Locomotive Replacement Tires

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a Sunset brass steam locomotive, the Walthers Circus Train pacific, that is missing the gearbox and the tires for the two center drivers (some ill-fated tinkering of old). NWSL makes the gearbox I need, but I’m having a difficult time finding replacement tires for the drivers. I imagine that one of them will also require an insulator. Can anyone offer their advice?

Thanks!

2

your best bet would probably be eBay. I often see auctions for Stewart traction tires, which I don’t believe are made any more. You can also “roll your own” if you feel ambitious. Head down to the hobby shop and buy some silicone tubing, the type used for fuel lines on R/C aircraft. cut a tire-sized slice and stretch it over the driver…voila!!

Ray

3

Thanks for your reply. I might need to clear this up a bit though. I’m actually looking for flanged metal tires, the actual outer part of the driver. Short of a lathe, I’m not sure how to get a hold on something like that.

4

I run into bits like that once in a while, but usually in “0” scale.
Best bet is to find a spare driver set, no?
Bets are Sunset used a stock set of drivers for the Circus Train.
TOC

5

www.greenwayproducts.com sells driver sets in various sizes. I’d try them, can’t imagine you’re going to find HO driver tires.

6

Model RailRoader Magazine January 2004 edition on page 17 upper right hand corner has an add for STEWART PRODUCTS HO &N super traction tires for diesel and steam locomotives, it lists several different aplications (and prices) for a variety of manufacturers and engines. The address is VIRNEX INDUSTRIES P.O BOX 613 , LAKE DELTON, WI 53940, Ph # (608) 254-4382. No website or URL that I can see.

7

The flanged “tires” may actually be missing on purpose. On some older “many-drivered” (e.g. x-8-x or x-10-x), the middle wheels were “blind-drivered”. This means that they did not have a flange. This was to help the longer, rigid wheelbase negotiate tight-radius curves.

If the wheels in question rest on the rails on a straight section of track, then they are probably blind-drivers.

Andrew

8

Thanks everyone. I’ll check out Greenway. All I have are the brass centers. The actual flanged metal tires were removed and lost long ago. Why? Well… who knows. Thanks