Original American Flyer Trains.

I had to cancel my York trip, but if still going, I would look for Hudson and K5 chassis' with Pul-Mor wheels.

Okay, someone please enlighten me: are "Pul Mor" wheels like traction tires? If so, why are they not as unpopular as traction tires seem to be in other scales?

Mark in Oregon

I cannot comment on "other scales." S scale engines, those designed to run on code 100 and smaller rail are made without traction tires.

When Gilbert introduced their S gauge trains in 1946 they did not have traction tires. Lionel then created Magnetraction, which outpulled the Gilbert engines. Gilbert countered in 1952 with PullMor, vulcanized rubber traction tires. All Gilbert engines were then made with PullMor. An engine w/o traction tires could only pull about 5 cars up a grade made by the Gilbert trestle sets.

All S gauge engines made by Lionel since they bought Gilbert out of bankruptcy have traction tires. All engines with high rail wheels made by American Models have traction tires. Scale wheeled engines made by AM and by River Raisin do not. There is no issue, there is peace among the S gauge operators. Many Gilbert operators like to add PullMor wheels to older link coupler engines made without them.

@Strummer posted:

Okay, someone please enlighten me: are "Pul Mor" wheels like traction tires? If so, why are they not as unpopular as traction tires seem to be in other scales?

Mark in Oregon

Pul-Mor wheels have thick traction tires that are vulcanized onto the rim. Unlike modern traction tires that fall off and need periodic replacement, postwar (and some prewar) American Flyer pul-mor tires do not come off and are generally good for the life of the loco.

Now that those locos are coming into their 70th plus years, some of them are failing, but not that many, and certainly not like modern traction tires that spark a discussion  (gripe session) every month or so.

Thanks for the clarification.

A few years back, I posted a thread about a #370 AF Geep; since I'm not a fan of "traction tires/pul mor" (a throw back to my N scale days), I went about removing the plastic "pul mor" wheels and replaced them with plain metal ones. 2 reasons: 1; I thought that having an additional wheel providing electrical pick up is always a good thing, and 2; well, I just don't like the idea of them. 🙂

It seems to run and pull just fine without them. And FWIW, I did a similar exchange on a couple of 3R Lionel O gauge steam engines... with the same results...does this make me a bad person? 😁

Mark in Oregon

Hmmm, the Gilbert 370 with the link coupler bars was not made with traction tires. Several possibilities, it was a 371 with KC's and traction tires (PullMor), it was a 370 shell on a KC chassis, or the trucks were modified by a prior owner. In any event as a Gilbert collector/operator it does not bother me at all if you modify engines to better suit your own operating preferences. Some operators put can motors in their engines and add electronic reverse units. Some convert them to DCC. Some convert engines to TMCC and Railsounds. Some even cut the engines to stretch them to 10 or 12 coupled engines. All is good, some of these engines become real masterpieces.

I think doing any of these things would make you a dedicated operator.

Tom

That's right; it was decided "back then" that what I have is no doubt an engine "pieced together" before I ever got it.

In any case, thanks for the support. 🙂

Mark in Oregon

@AmFlyer posted:

Hmmm, the Gilbert 370 with the link coupler bars was not made with traction tires. Several possibilities, it was a 371 with KC's and traction tires (PullMor), it was a 370 shell on a KC chassis, or the trucks were modified by a prior owner.

Tom,

My 370 was converted by a factor authorized service center (Keswick Cycle).  I think it was something ACG was offering after the Knuckles came out.  I was just a wee lad then but our lumpy track work made the link coupler bars almost useless.  I remember well when the 370 came home with knuckle couplers... it was too cool.  Must have been around '53 or '54.  Still have it, thought my brother painted it black and orange and added  Wabash decals.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Tom, I was not aware that adding KC’s to the 370’s was a common conversion. The link coupler bars on the 370 would drop the coupler of the attached car with any irregularity in the track work. Sometimes even on perfect trackwork. I had an original 1952 370 set, loved the engine but it frequently dropped the train. As a youngster I did not mind.

@AmFlyer posted:

Tom, I was not aware that adding KC’s to the 370’s was a common conversion.

I have no idea how common it was, I am sure it was an option authorized by Gilbert.  I believe the side frames were replaced also a vertical section was cut from the front (what’s it called?) end to allow for the knuckle coupler to extend past the body and negotiate curves.  And again if memory serves me, the new side frames are black rather than silver.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

... And again if memory serves me, the new side frames are black rather than silver.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

The side frames on my example are black (and look to be factory painted) so I believe you are correct, sir! 🙂

Mark in Oregon