Removing grooved wheel rim

I myself would not do that. Just because a engine is heavy does not mean it will pull better without the traction tires. That idea may work on a Lionel engine with both magna traction and rubber tires. You will find that you will limit yourself to how many cars you will be able to pull...........Paul

For what it's worth, I have used Bull Frog Snot to fill that tire-groove on more that one of my steam models. Thus, I didn't have to disassemble half of the running gear on articulated models.

I don't know how the tires are attached to the wheels, or even if it's the same method for all manufacturers.  I suspect it'd be easier just to replace the wheel altogether.  And yes, I realize that would mean quartering the wheel, which introduces another level of complication.

Disclaimer:  I've never tried it myself.

Thanks Hot Water. Does the bull frog snot dry evenly? My issue is with a MTH Big Boy. It threw a traction tire and locked up the drive train. It was only pulling a caboose. My back was turned, so I don't know how long the motor was under a strain. I wish the breaker on the brick would have tripped, because the motor did get hot. I was running it under conventional control. After cutting all the tires off, out of fear of it happening again, the motor seems OK. I did however notice it no longer slowed down in the curves (all 072"min.) like it did when running tires. I don't want this to ever happen again with any of my engines and wonder if it was running with DCS if the high current draw would have fried a board.