Good Morning,
Anyone ever figure out what the 3 Black Rubber Washers were that were included in the box with this NEW UP Engine ?
FREDSTRAINS
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
From Eric- they are spare traction tires.
@Vernon Barry posted:From Eric- they are spare traction tires.
They can't posibly be TRACTION TIRES!! They are "WAY" too skinny, i'm sorry. They aren't even 1/8 inches thick !!!~
FREDSTRAINS
Surely someone has figured this out !!!
FREDSTRAINS
@Fredstrains posted:Surely someone has figured this out !!!
They ARE traction tires. I am pretty sure its been discussed here before.
Fredstrains...that's what they are. Seems a little unorthadox in their design but apparently they stretch enough to flatten-out once you get them on the wheel. You should have received four in the plastic bag, maybe two of yours are stuck together? I think you can even use these for washers in your garden hoses! 
Attachments
Images (1)
Ok, but those are the weirdest traction tires I have ever seen ! Hope I never need them!! Been running Lionel Trains for over 70 years, and it will be a 1st.
FREDSTRAINS
@Fredstrains posted:Been running Lionel Trains for over 70 years, and it will be a 1st.
FREDSTRAINS
Fred,
These are not Lionel trains, so it can't be a first for Lionel trains.
Mike
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:Fred,
These are not Lionel trains, so it can't be a first for Lionel trains.
Mike
I took it that he's been running Lionel Trains for 70 years and this is the first time he's seen traction tires like this, not a first for Lionel.
Interesting traction tires. 
I can’t believe they’re traction tires. Does Menards know something about tires that we don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see after a beta user changes one out.
My guess is that the Chinese factory put the wrong part in the boxes. 
@romiller49 posted:I can’t believe they’re traction tires. Does Menards know something about tires that we don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see after a beta user changes one out.
I know...they don't make "engineering" sense at all. I rolled one up on a piece of pipe roughly the diameter of the wheel and it "sort of flattened-out". I was reluctant to pull-off a good traction tire on the locomotive to test. Like I said, I think I will use these for garden hose washers
Maybe, you should call Menards and ask them.
I think I will let it go. Enough time and "FORUM" space. Was just curious!!!
FREDSTRAINS
@jim sutter posted:Maybe, you should call Menards and ask them.
No such phone number for train inquiries. Email address is guest@menard-inc.com.
I agree those traction tires are odd-looking.
Jim R,
Do you know why Menards doesn't have a phone number to answer questions about the products they are selling?
Jim, when you have a question on a Home Depot or Lowe’s brand of proprietary tools, what corporate (not store) phone numbers do you call? Think about it and you have your answer.
Jim R.,
I'm sorry, but I have never called a Lowes or Home Depot. We don't have a Home Depot. We do have a Lowes about seven miles from were we live.
