Lionel USRA 0-8-0 Traction Tire Repair

[@Johns0gaugeAndH0trains]

That blue sky background that you featured in another video really looks great here! 👍

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks! It's certainly better than mid-1970's wood paneling!

[@rogerevoy6191]

I agree with the crazy glue to hold tire. Also, use rubber cleaner like is used to clean inner tubes when patching. Helps to keep wheel tire soft and clean.

[@mdeange3]

Thank you for the presentation. I was unaware that the 0-8-0's were once made as conventional engines.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Yep! They've been around since before LionChief.

[@curtklemenz4783]

I'm not an expert with traction tires, but I had a couple thoughts that may explain why a rubber tire stretches, abrades, and fails. I noticed that you have a bent inside rail before the curve that looks to force the locomotive to "jerk/slide" sideways toward the inside of the track loop. Then , the next track forces the locomotive to slide back to where it came from. Also, if you have a sharp leading edge at a track joint, that sharp edge will abrade/cut the tire. In any event, thanx for being a guy who shows us how to deal with some of our hobby issues.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@DRCRailroard]

Hey Mike. I came across this older post and hoped to add a couple of my findings with these engines. I have a conventional run version of the Menards by Lionel Milwaukee Road set. Lionel built these for Menards around 2016 or so, and I have the Pennsylvania Lionchief version. I used the Menards tubular track on all the loops of my layout. I had problems with these engines jumping track at the curve sections, and I never had this problem with any of my other engines or cars, and I have a good-sized collection of different manufacturers. I noticed the wheel flanges are very shallow on these engines as compared to the postwar engines. Lionel must have intended for these to run on fast track. I noticed that some of my rails were a little loose and out of gauge. Thanks to this engine, everything is now in gauge, and they no longer jump track. I have not experienced any traction tire problems with either engine so far. I have had a similar problem with other engines. I noticed that some of the tires I've bought from different sellers are not all the same. Some tires are very flat, shiny, and harder plastic like and are the ones that fail a lot. I've had some that seem plumper, more pliable, rubbery, and even have a bit of a tread pattern that performs the best and never seems to fail. I have a diesel engine that seems to throw off the same two tires no matter what, and I have finally found a good use for Bullfrog Snot. It turns out it makes an excellent glue for holding traction tires in place. I use a generous amount and install the tire while wet and let it dry overnight. I put on enough so that it oozes out when the tire is installed and wipe off the extra.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks for the feedback. This particular locomotive has thrown tires on MTH RealTrax, and both O and O27 tubular rails.

[@markslioneltrains]

Very good to know.! I'm very glad I have never yet had to change a traction tire.! Thank you for the history lesson on him as well.! Awesome.! 👍Mark 😀

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

I'm glad you like it. Thanks for watching!

[@leroypunzi8800]

Strong little runner 👍🏻 My Pennsylvania hauls 15 cars plus the tender on old tubular rails.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Yes, very nice. Thanks for watching!

[@mdeange3]

Is your Pennsylvania a conventional engine or the newer Lionchief engines?

[@dagryffynhobby]

I’m thrilled with my #100 0-8-0, runs great, quick or slow, and I found it for $60! Last time I lost the traction tire, I replaced it with a small black rubber band from the packaging of my Amazon Alexa. It’s held up for quite a while so far and it’s almost a perfect fit.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Great tip!

[@Churchkey83]

Bullfrog snot works great and drys clear with a tinge of green. Maybe a good alternative.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

I've heard of Bullfrog Snot, and I've considered using it, but this is the only locomotive that ever has tire issues. Maybe I need to get some and do a side-by-side video with a pair of identical 2-4-2s. Hmmm....

[@Anthony8892]

Great vid. I have yet to operate a Lion chief engine. How do you set it to conventional mode? Do you have to do putt an extra breaker between the transformer and track to protect the Lion chiefs modern electronics?

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

My 0-8-0 is an older, conventional control model, so I have not yet operated a Lionchief. However, I know how they work. Unlike TMCC, DCS, and Legacy systems, Lionchief controls the trains via wireless signal like Bluetooth rather than sending data through the track. Therefore, any conventional transformer will work to supply power, and any modern transformer will have sufficient circuit breaker protection. I would recommend, however, adding TVS diodes to each transformer output and, if possible, to each track feeder. These work like surge suppressors to prevent any current spikes from frying your boards. I will post the values of the diodes I use on the Community tab tonight or tomorrow.

[@ronkrzeczkowski94]

May I suggest clamping a 2 by 4 to the workbench to keep the loco secure while installing new traction tires. Use a towel to protect the loco's paint. Substitute 2 dental probes for the 2 screwdrivers. (available from ebay)

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Thanks for the tips!

[@OldIronVideo]

I'm currently debating temporarily removing the traction tire on my lioncheif 0-8-0 if you allow the engine to have a little less grip and slip while starting it is better on the motor and wheels slip is pretty cool And couldn't you use a flathead to remove the hex screw

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Since there's no slot on the screw, I think it's less awkward to use a hex head. Thanks for watching!

[@pjasyl]

Agree with you that this switcher while not scale does not look odd pulling the scale box car behind! Have you run the engine without traction tires, if so will it still run with several cars ?

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Without the tire it will barely pull itself around a curve. Thanks for watching!

[@franciscoppola7368]

Mike I take a drop of ca or other super glue and put it on wax paper, then with one of my picks take a little glue and put it on 2 or 3 spots on the driver and then put the tite on. Just the littlest bit of glue will hold it.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

I appreciate the tip. However, I have not had luck with that method. The tire simply breaks where the glue is absent.

[@rtwebbjr]

Wouldn't be easier to put the hex screw in place after sliding the traction tire under slide rod? The you don't have to worry about the tire sliding back out.

[@ToyTrainTipsAndTricks]

Excellent idea!