traction wheel rubbers

[Kenneth West]

Hi does anyone know if you can still buy traction wheel rubbers for n gauge locos. If you can could you let me know where I can buy them.

Cheers.

[Krizzy]

Here we go again!!

Which make?

Which loco or locos?

If you want help or advice on anything particular start by providing enough information on what the problem is then someone on here will be able to help. Traction tyres come in different sizes from different manufacturers.

Roger

[Kenneth West]

Forget it

[Hugh Norwood]

There is a material used by some of our overseas brethren,- it goes under the delightful name of "bullfrog snot". I believe you paint it on and it becomes a new traction tyre...

I know nothing further about it...

[Kenneth West]

Thanks for for that that would be ideal will look into that.

Thanks for your help.

[gtmspyder]

Good morning each. :D

I have just looked at the profile of vipbloke above and note that he joined our exalted group quite recently, and therefore might be very new to the hobby, or be quite young.

If either of my suppositions is correct, his question would have seemed reasonable enough to him, and the answer only needed to point to a possible supplier, or suppliers, upon contacting the possible supplier, he would have been asked by that supplier the questions posed by krizzy.

Now I know that the question could have been more specific, but that's because I am 75 years of age, with the benefit of a great deal of hindsight, and I would hope better manners.

If you are going to find answering a query a chore, then don't bother answering at all, I am sure we are all guilty at some time in the past, of asking what might seem inane questions.

Unfortunately, I am unable to help vipbloke on this occasion, so I refrained from answering at all, never mind in a completely negative way, that added nothing to the questioners request.

A simple " You might want to try ...............", would at least have been something positive.

I hope that I, and Hugh, have shown that we are a friendly and helpful, where possible, group of individuals.

Regards,

BrianT.

[Hugh Norwood]

A quick Google shows it is available in the UK...

[Kenneth West]

Thank you brian.

As for the bullfrog snot they sell it on ebay.

Thank you

[B.Meldon]

I have in the past had some success getting traction tyres via model shops that sell the appropriate make of loco. (Liliput, Roco, Fleischmann etc.)
It all depends on what the make is and if the manufacture has any spare parts. They often take a few weeks to arrive.

Some traction tyres are also available on e-bay, just search for

[Krizzy]

Picking up on Brian's point about alternate ways of replacing traction tyres I ask the question are they necessary. In the past I have had Paul Windle build a number of 'specials' for me using various American Bachmann 2-8-0/2-8-2 chassis, both Spectrum and pre-Spectrum. He removed the tyres from the earlier loco chassis and they all have run fine without even up gradients. He has built for me two locos on the Spectrum chassis that were indifferent performers. Since removing the tyres they are now excellent runners. So what about N scale diesel/electric loco chassis? Again I find those chassis without tyres perform just as well as those with. As Brian says the extra weight we put into an 009 body compensates to improve traction and performance.

Roger

[rod335]

To respond to Brian's point, I don't think Roger was being at all offensive in his response. If, for instance, you wanted to buy a part for anything mechanical, you would, reasonably, be expected to specify, at the least, the make and model. I do not see any difference in the present instance.

From the wording of the initial post, I think it is fair to assume that vipbloke is not particularly experienced in our hobby, anyone with more experience would refer to the items in question as 'traction tyres', and, as such, he is on a learning curve. However, I do not really think that Roger intended to cause offence and, as such, I personally do not consider Brian's implied criticism of him to be justified.

Rod 

[Elmgate]

Picking up on Brian's point about alternate ways of replacing traction tyres I ask the question are they necessary. In the past I have had Paul Windle build a number of 'specials' for me using various American Bachmann 2-8-0/2-8-2 chassis, both Spectrum and pre-Spectrum. He removed the tyres from the earlier loco chassis and they all have run fine without even up gradients. He has built for me two locos on the Spectrum chassis that were indifferent performers. Since removing the tyres they are now excellent runners. So what about N scale diesel/electric loco chassis? Again I find those chassis without tyres perform just as well as those with. As Brian says the extra weight we put into an 009 body compensates to improve traction and performance.

Roger

I also have one of the (recent) Bachmann 0-6-0 chassis' and found that the tyres were more of a hindrance than help, as the slightest unevenness in the track could cause the mechanism to "rock" on the centre drivers, and lose effective electrical contact. Since removing the tyres, it runs like a dream. (Before anyone says it must be my bad track laying ;) - no trackwork can be perfect, and every other loco I have copes with the inevitable variations with no problem - my criteria for a good model includes being able to negotiate less than perfect track).

[tedp]

I have at least one loco where a traction tyre is missing, but it still runs OK even with the rut in the wheel tread. It's an old 1970s Rivarossi 0-8-0 chassis so it may well be that the loco is supported by the other wheels on that side, but it may be worth trying to run your loco without.

Alternatively, you could check the wheel diameter and see if a similar tyre from another producer fits.

[Alan Feldon]

i find traction tyres a nuisance and always remove them.
On a small loco electrical pick up is more important  and on large locos as Brian has said,the extra weight more than makes up for the lack of tyres.
I have also found that the tyres are slightly proud of the wheels on some chassis which means the chassis does not sit square on the track which loses you peformance anyway.