Making Traction Tires/Tyres For Old HO/OO Scale Locos For Almost Free

[@Militiaman71]

I have two Rivarossi Steam engines that recently lost their traction tires. I couldn't believe the prices just for a pack of traction tires. For the same price I bought a jar of Bullfrog Snot. That way I don't have to take the drive gear apart. And have plenty left over to other locomotives. But I have used tiny hair bands on diesel locos as well. Didn't think to try heat shrink tubing. Thanks!

[@richardcarolan2159]

It has already been suggested, but for years I have been using a hairdryer for heat shrinks. It works perfectly without the risk of damaging anything else.

[@extrememodeltrains]

Thank you for visiting my channel! I wanted you to know it's being reciprocated. Ditching the traction is a bunch of fun too, that way you have a reason to run a 15 header. Take care.

[@azharjawaid104]

Nice job done. I have a Santa fe 307 F9 that was gifted to me by my elder brother in 1989. It was a used set, with figure of 8 track, a center bridge so that the curve radius was 18 inch and the slope was 4%. The manufacturer is unknown. But it is mentioned that it was made in Hong Kong. It is Rear 4 wheel drive, directly fitted single can motor without flywheel with a worm gear to the chain of plastic gears. It had lost tyres. Last year, I googled, there were a lot of suggestions, i.e., frog snot, filling the grove with araldite and heat shrink tubing. One suggested using scotch tap. I cut 2 mm wide multiple lengths of scotch tape and wound in the groove. Then I put a drop of cyanoacrylate glue. It worked great could pull 4 ConCor silver Xephyr 85 feet on a full 18 inch curved 4% slope. But got full speed at downslope and the Xephyr cars because of the centrifugal force just fell out of the circle.

[@ScottRails]

I’m having same problem with my latest rio grande loco racing down the hill. Might need to invent auto brakes.

[@azharjawaid104]

@ScottRails 👌😅😅😅 it needs anticipation and controling the speed. As it was full voltage uphill, and I forgot to decrease the speed downhill so it crashed. However, 7 flieshman coaches are moved around the FO8 comfortably. I plan to replace the old motor with a new 6 pole motor low RPM Mabuchi, SF-266SA-1G160, hoping for more power and smoother performance.

[@mikeatpudhamjunction2323]

Like the simplicity. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

[@garyscarstuff]

Wow, that's some finicky work, good job!

[@davidjburgess]

Hey Dave good solution. I saw another dude use bait bands (some angling rig paraphernalia) as they’re grippy latex and quite cheap for dozens.

[@garystrutt2078]

Nothing like a little outside the box thinking Dave, good job. Nice crash!!

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Cool way to fix old locomotives

[@IndigoDVW]

Likewise I've been using this solution for yonks. One does not need a heat gun..... drop the wheel assembly in boiling water for a few seconds to shink the tyre.! A lot safer.

[@czwij]

while you were there, a bit of oil on the gears and axles would help running smoothly.

[@ScottRails]

Yes indeed.

[@JohnLightfoot-mz3yh]

I have been using heat shrink for a while now and it works well, the only thing is that the heat shrink is slippery, so I run just the loco for half an hour or so and the shine goes off and then they pull very well.

[@ScottRails]

Thanks, good to know.

[@solargarage]

Nice work.

[@danielbackley9301]

Suggestion instead of a torch or lighter try using a hair dryer first as that might be hot enough to shrink the tube.

[@smokencoffee7680]

Dental Rubber Bands work well too. The ones for braces.

[@jcsgaragejohnc.5027]

Excellent video, I didn’t catch the size of the shrink wrap. TY

[@ScottRails]

I don't have a size measurement, sorry. The box of heat shrink just says "assorted", lol.

[@melkitson]

Try a hair dryer for less aggressive heat.

[@irenecraggs6123]

Hi Dave what size of shrink wrap are you using thank you

[@ScottRails]

9mm, but it's a bit tight. Also depends on what wheel size you have. If I had 10mm I would try that.

[@peterwebster3076]

You ain’t kidding about price I just paid 8 pound for 10

[@BillRen-nl5mx]

OMG use a hot air gun rather than a flame. But I tried this and it simply did Not work too thick too wobbly

[@davidgardiner5534]

Hi Scott rails, can you help me, how do you change the tractions tyres on Hornby rail operations group model 47812, I can’t seem to remove the body off, I appriate your help. Many thanks Davie.

[@ScottRails]

I'm sorry, I have no experience of that yet.

[@davidgardiner5534]

Ok, thanks for getting back to me.

[@markgeerin5928]

I’ve done this works ok 👍👍

[@CynderHound]

"don't worry, I cleaned it up"💀

[@bertjesklotepino]

stupid question but why not replace em wheels with non traction wheels?

[@ScottRails]

They add traction tires for a couple of reasons. The loco might only be powered by one truck set. The loco might be too light to get traction. I’ve also seen them on a couple of stream train wheels just to give a little extra traction power. At the end of the day I see it as either budget, or as a band aid to fix a bad design.

[@bertjesklotepino]

Yes, that i understand. But, i came from a video from Sam's Trains and he purged them traction tires from some steam loc. Old video on his channel. It did not have the same traction as it had before, but when he added some weight (since there was enough room inside for to do so), it had decent traction. Sure, he could not pull the same load as before, but there are a few benefits that in my opinion outweigh this negative point. Like, never ever having to worry again about such a traction tire coming off at the wrong moment at the wrong spot. Or, having to replace em. I can understand that this wont work for every loc that is out there. But for some i would think it is a better option than to be replacing em from time to time. @@ScottRails

[@bertjesklotepino]

btw, do you have any experience with Bullfrog snot?@@ScottRails

[@ScottRails]

I think it can be expensive to replace traction tire wheels with non traction tire wheels on a loco that was not designed with those wheels in mind. It's not just the wheels remember, it can be the drive gear that will be attached to those wheels. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely HATE traction tires, but you have to consider if it's really worth the conversion, especially when locos with those traction tires are usually the budget range of locos.