can traction tires loose their grip?

They are rubber and can become brittle. So the answer is; yes.

Yes they can "lose" their grip over time...

With traction tires; I have seen that some tires are better then others. I have several engines with traction tires but it seems that the MTH engines need tires replaced more often then other brands at least one of MTH  engines needs new tires almost every 2 months if I use a bit.

Lee Fritz

Train Nut posted:

Yes they can "lose" their grip over time...

All of us can eventually.

I clean them with a wax and grease remover if they are not cracked. Lacquer thinner would work but be sure to wipe it on and then wipe it clean. It will attack the rubber if left on too long. My 15 year old Lionel Niagara still has its original tires and easily pulled 24 cars after cleaning.

Pete

I would say it depends on the rubber they are made out of. I have a few Lionel engines from the eighties that the tires stretched out. I have had a number of MTH tires go bad on me. I also have older Weaver and Williams brass engines with the original tires still working......Paul

My 53 year old 634 still has its original tire, it is grooved somewhat to match the tubular rail profile, and "glazed" to a high shine, but it still works well.

There's a reason they're replaceable! 

When in doubt, replace them. They are cheap and easy maintenance.

All: thanks.

I have 2 MTH-made-for-Lionel tin-plate sets, both 'O' gauge.  Baby Blue Comet and what I call the "christmas train".  Both only 3 years old, bought new, and only used around the Christmas time-frame each year.  They did well year one and two.  For years one and two I used the Christmas train on ramps and it could pull 5 cars easily.

This year both spin their wheels in certain spots.  On LEVEL!  I had to remove 2 of the 5 cars on my Christmas train.  I have oiled all axles (engine and cars) and the track is clean (after I noticed the spinning I did the white rag trick and it was clean.  I also rubbed my fingers on it to make sure it wasn't oily and it wasn't.

I can't explain why both engines are performing differently (worse) than the first 2 years so I was thinking maybe the tires got too smooth and weren't gripping well anymore.

as always, thanks - walt

Cleaning the wheels will make a big difference. I have a PW 1666 with nickel tires. Before cleaning it would only pull 3 PW cars, after degreasing it will pull 6. I put the engines on their back, attach the transformer to the pickup and frame with alligator clips, apply power,  and touch a paper towel dampened with solvent to all the wheels, traction tires or not. Then wipe off. Takes only a few minutes. Try the simple stuff first before going off and ordering parts.

Pete

thanks Pete.  I cleaned the wheels extremely well before putting them away after last CHristmas's layout was taken down.  I suppose I could try again, have nothing to lose at this point.

- walt

Walt, I think once they are cleaned they will work as before. IIRC most of our tires are smooth. Our biggest problem is certain engines just seem to eat tires.

And then there is the possibility that the tires have stretched over time and are no longer gripping the driver they're mounted on. The wheels would then slip inside the tire and not transmit any pulling force to the rail.

---PCJ

RailRide posted:

And then there is the possibility that the tires have stretched over time and are no longer gripping the driver they're mounted on. The wheels would then slip inside the tire and not transmit any pulling force to the rail.

---PCJ

I will do an up close visual examination and check that out - but it's happening with both engines, just more-so with the Christmas train engine.

as always, thanks -  walt

One more trick Walt assuming you want them running for Christmas. If cleaning doesn't help then the rubber has hardened. You can remove them and flip them inside out. Might get you through the Holidays.

Pete

Pete: I think what you stated, "hardened", might have been a better description than the one that I used of "slick or smooth".  They are a bit shiny even, not dull like I would expect rubber tires to look like.  Sad that it happened on both engines.  BTW: I used to have 11 MTH PS2 engines, all with traction tires, and in 11 years of Christmas running, I never had to change one.

- walt

Walt,

I would just replace the tires and be done with it. If you bought these sets new, they may have come with spare tires. Check the box.

MERRY CHRISTMAS