No traction

First of all, what’s a 1510 engine? Who made it? Did it have traction tires originally? Photo would help, too.

Thanks for the reply. The engine is the general style and it is LIONEL. Sorry I don’t know how to post a picture 

I'm not aware of any Lionel General-style loco numbered 1510.

What's the 6- number on the box that it came in?

TRW

First clean the track with 91% alcohol. If the engine has traction tires try replacing them. If the engine doesn't have traction tires then try adding weight to the inside of the engine. Lastly get rid of the frog snot. 

I believe that it could be the Lionel General locomotive 6-18787. This one http://www.lionel.com/products...ssenger-set-6-30224/    or this one

I believe both of these should have traction tires.

Rick

Thanks, that is the one. I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean by traction tires. What do you suggest I do now to alleviate the problem.

 Thanks Gary 

Traction tires fit around one of the pair of drive wheels. They are rubber ringed tires that aid in gripping the wheels to the track. They do come in different sizes and I do not know what size you might need. These could be them, but it will give you an idea what they look like. And you may want to see if your locomotive already has them on it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONE...047675.c100005.m1851

Rick

The Generals were never big haulers fyi. Weight helps the most.

   Frog Snot is best used sparingly. It does need to be reapplied every now and again too; more so on O. It's really more for use on the smaller scales were it has a decent amount of users that love it.

How many cars and what type of cars? The most I've ever heard of was ten mixed pass/freight on the newest one in a post a week or three ago.

   When I commented to my Gramps on the lack of pulling ability decades ago, he challenged me to find a photo of long train for the era. Most were a not pulling "long" trains as we know "long" in modern terms. It fit as an explanation and I just lowered my expectations slightly thereafter.

My Pulmore deals with 3 passenger cars, 1 flat, one stock car (gunfighters), and a 2 axle, "bobber" caboose.

I modified one to run double headed. With two engines, they handle 12-14 cars. But I've seen other (early) can motor units that slipped with just three set cars.

   Weight is likely the best thing you can do for traction besides a wheel change to ones with traction tires (if the axle is the same....?)  Adding it to boiler or cab can make a difference too, so experiment with the fore and aft bias as well.

Thanks for all the reply’s how do I add weight 

It is a Pennsylvania limited ready to run # 6-30224 and it doesn’t hav rubber tires

@Gary collins, your locomotive should be equipped with two traction tires. I think most will agree that for our large scale locomotives, actual traction tires beat any applied goop. Since you are missing yours, I would suggest you order a set and install them. Lionel Part Number is 6000242206 or 242-206. 

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...44-b2b7-2e1fead26d5b

As you can see, they are unavailable from Lionel, however, they are available from the common parts suppliers:

http://hennings-trains.shoplig...ires-for-lionel.html

http://store.justtrains.com/Li...bber-Tire_p_501.html

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=lionel+242-206

http://www.ttender.com/partslist.html

I recently discovered a square slab of 2oz  weight in the street gutter with an adhesive back. Obviously used for wheel balancing on cars or semi trucks (? but which ?)

Each slap has snap off 2oz sections like a Hershey bar. about  3/4" x3/4" x 1/4".

I've not seen anything as convenient before. Other than that, fishing sinkers are popular choices. A steel dowel rod in the boiler, bolts, etc.

The only real drawback with Frog Snot imo, is loss of electrical contact on that wheel(s)

Try to keep the weight low on the loco if possible. The Gen. doesn't much cab room (old ones at least). You may have to go to the underside of the roof with the adhesive weights.

Please let us know of your results. How many cars causes slip? Have you cleaned the wheel tread & track? Even slight oil films can mess with light locos.

Is there a groove for a tire?

Thanks for all the help I’m heading to Mexico tomorrow for a week and will be out of touch

thanks Gary 

I suspect that many of these suggestions are exceeding your confidence. 

If that’s the case, here’s an optional simple approach. Pull no more than three cars with that plastic locomotive. It was never meant to pull more than that. Even with traction tires. It’s simply too light. Cleaning the track may help, but I doubt that’s the crux of your problem.

If you like that style locomotive, you can acquire MTH’s General locomotive.  It’s diecast metal and a decent puller, though still not intended for much more than six cars. Neither was the real 19th century locomotive.

Otherwise, there are so many other options available to you for strong-pulling engines.

Adriatic posted:

I recently discovered a square slab of 2oz  weight in the street gutter with an adhesive back. Obviously used for wheel balancing on cars or semi trucks (? but which ?)

Each slap has snap off 2oz sections like a Hershey bar. about  3/4" x3/4" x 1/4".

I've not seen anything as convenient before.

You can find those in 1/4 and 1/2 ounce sizes at Harbor Freight.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/...l-weights-67225.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/...l-weights-67226.html

I've used 'em in "Little Stinky" in the past, and that's turned a lightweight tank loco into a stump puller...

13 cars with 6 ounces of added weight.  Not bad for an MPC era 0-4-0 with a plastic shell!   

Mitch