American flyer Pull-mor tires why tires when wheels don't have a lip

The pullmore wheels on those engines are vulcanized to the tire (American flyer metal drive wheels are much like the real thing, a center wheel with an applied tire, although the AF wheel uses an insulating ring between the wheel and the tire. Eventually they went to an all-plastic wheel with a groove for a traction tire band. 5 digit Large engines (Hudson & Northern) had an aluminum tire on a plastic wheel. Your modified engines derail because the tires, with your addition are larger in diameter than the other flanged drive wheels--and the lack of a full flange too.

Thank you for your response. My next question is do they make  a wheel plastic or aluminum w/a groove for the original engines., like a challengers , switchers, from the 50s  etc. ?

There are several choices depending on the amount of disassembly to be done. Personally, I try to avoid pulling the drivers so the engine does not need to be re-quartered. The original Gilbert part number for 336 Pul-Mor drivers is XA13A863. There are special thin replacement bands made for these tires that originally had vulcanized rubber. It is SKU1412 on the Port Lines site. Grooved rims complete with the rubber tread are available as well, SKU2157. there are comparable parts for 0-8-0's as well. When purchasing these call Doug Peck directly so he knows for certain which part to send.

If the original pullmore tires are in good condition, I would leave them alone. Unless they are chipped, or breaking up, they usually still provide good traction still. If you are going to change them anyway, I would do as Tom suggested and talk to Doug first.

If the original pullmore tires are in good condition, I would leave them alone. Unless they are chipped, or breaking up, they usually still provide good traction still. If you are going to change them anyway, I would do as Tom suggested and talk to Doug first.

Some times merely running the engine on its side or on a stand while applying a stiff tooth brush to the wheels will revitalize them.

Gunny