Articulated Steam Locos Traction Tire Replacement

try these places.

http://www.lioneltrainparts.com/

http://www.traindoctor.com/

Thanks!  I'll contact them.

Just a hint! I found it saves me a lot of time if I take a photo of the running gear before I take it apart to replace the tires. The configuration is critical so they need to go back the way they came off.

Amen canalman!  Ran into this little gem with my Allegheny.  If they aren't synchronized properly, they can bind, which locks up the drive mechanism.  This in turn brings your engine to a screeching halt and, if not caught quickly, can burn the motor out.  If it happens at higher speed, it can bend the heck out of some of the rods.  I didn't learn this doing traction tires; mine just came loose.  Fortunately I avoided major damage.  I'm due for traction tires though, so it was a good lesson to learn.

Note:  My MTH required a 5mm (I think...) socket.  I found that the multi-wrench that came with my RC car was the perfect fit and size.  It fits in my fingers so it's hard to over torque, which can only be bad.  I'm on the fence as to whether I should blue Loctite the nuts of they come loose again.  My LHS says go ahead, but I get nervous....

I always wondered, do they really need traction tyres? Well, maybe a Y-6, but do the smaller engines?

I used to work at a Bicycle shop and we used the blue Loctite.  It is meant to keep things from vibrating loose.  You don't need a lot, just use common sense.  Hope this helps.

Killian

Union Pacific Big Boy - http://youtu.be/e9LRVWq_exE

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

I took the traction tires off of my Williams GP-9 diesel locomotives and it runs fine.  I'm sure (where have we heard these words before ) that if you run your Y-6 on large curves you might be safe running without traction tires.  If you have REALLY large curves you should be able to run anything, even without traction tires.  I'm sure that there will be more feedback on this issue. 

Killian

Union Pacific Big Boy - http://youtu.be/e9LRVWq_exE

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

I recently replaced the traction tires on my Lionel UP H7. It comes with 4 traction tires: 2 on the rear drivers on the front engine and 2 on the front drivers on the rear engine. Replacing the front engine tires was easy because you undo the side rodmwhich also allows you to rotate the drivers. The opposite is true for the other pair. It is next two the valve gear and the drivers don't rotate. I gave up trying to replace them and just cut the worn ones off. I do have wide curves and gradual grades. The engine pulls my 35 car train just fine with only 2 traction tires.

Dear John,

Thank you for sharing this information.

Killian

Union Pacific Big Boy - http://youtu.be/e9LRVWq_exE

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA