Removing Traction Tyres from Hornby’s R3215 Class 373 Eurostar Driving Car to avoid track residue

[@warwickroadmodelrailway]

Thank you for sharing, I have dusted off my 25 year old Eurostar to use on my layout and have to replace the traction tyres so now going to go with your fix.

[@EuviRail]

Excellent. I suspect the motor in this model hasn't actually changed much over those 25 years so I hope the mod is a good success for you.

[@railwayfan7480]

Thank you very much indeed for making this video. Firstly - I have seen a couple of KZbin videos on replacing traction tyre wheels BUT your video was by far THE BEST EVER instructional video on this subject, you didn't cut out any of the steps you took in performing the task in hand, I get so frustrated with some people that make a video on how to do something and then tell you they won't shpw you this step or that step because you don't need to see me doing that or they say you will be bored seeing it, not so, if someone is telling us they are going to show us how to do a job, then show us and you Sir certainly did show us how to replace the wheels and IO am very grateful to you. I'm also grateful for all of the detail you put in to this video, the results and testing you carried out, it really added value and purpose to the whole idea of performing this upgrade. Secondly - I had watched your unboxing and running of the Eurostar and had previously been unsure as to deciding to buy the set or not, I then decided yes go ahead, after seeing your video. I've purchased the centre cars as well. I'd bought the 6 cars of the Beatles Eurostar as well, neither set are my usual choice as I theme my layout on Scotrail but for the money, Eurostar sets are a good deal and I must thank you for the way you style your vidoes and the way you tell it the way it is and unlike several channels, you don't pretend every product you review is wonderful, instead you are honest, thanks!!!!!

[@EuviRail]

Many thanks for your feedback and best of luck with your Beatles Eurostar. Yeah, these sets are hard to beat value wise.

[@47606odin]

I removed the traction tyre wheels on my Hornby schools class. Video on KZbin, but I found the schools worked so much better, because Hornby in their infinite wisdom, put tyres both sides of the same axle, meaning it struggled on curves. Without tyres, the wheels were able to work correctly with the differential caused by the taper tread. It didn’t slip and was much smoother. It still hauled 8 Pullman cars and a luggage van. Traction tyres are stupid, especially on a multiple unit. Bachmann don’t use them, just weight the power car and put a suitable motor in it

[@kevindeaneguitarsireland2682]

Excellent video. Very informative and helpful. 👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Kevin

[@User-3O3]

Great results. I would definitely take a reduced top speed in favour of better slow-running performance and no need for tyres. I think the only way to better the top speed without traction tyres, would be to upgrade the motor, or better yet, motorise the dummy power car. :)

[@EuviRail]

Yeah, I'm much much happier with my Eurostar having done this. I just need to add some lighting now. I think a better motor is probably the cheapest route to improving the performance. After that you need to increase the number of drive wheels either in the main power car or the in dummy car as you say.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

Hi modified wheel set came yesterday fitted them today ran first time forward and reverse I think I purchase 1 more pendolino weight to fit over bogie just to make sure but hey I am really satisfied with the result I hope you have the same result best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Very enjoyable

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Great video. I have been using Bullfrog Snot for years and I can confirm it is an excellent product.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice job done, traction tyres are a curse, a lot of honrby railroad models dont need them just a slightly better design would get rid of them 👍

[@EuviRail]

Thanks Ciaran. Yes, I would contend it's lazy design at this point. A little bit of effort in sourcing some better motors and putting some added weight in the locos could rid us of this curse. Traction tyres should be an artifact of 1980s modelling and not something for the latest model releases.

[@1maico1]

Try a harder compound rubber like Marklin-Trix available in 4 sizes. All my Ho stuff have traction tyres, both modern and stuff going back to the 1970s, and I've never had a problem running on Trix-C track, Kato Unitrack or Peco 100 streamline.

[@EuviRail]

The traction tyres on the Eurostar are really soft - I can visualise them melting onto the track during high speed running - at least that's what it looks like afterwards! Harder rubber would definitely improve things. I've made the switch now but this could be useful for others who want to stick with them. Just a pity Hornby didn't use better material in these from day one. Thanks for your post.

[@johnmichaelcrossen4582]

Great video , I did see one model shop offering to swap out the none driven bogie car with a driven bogie set , to allow a greater train length to be pulled , could be a good alternative , you may need to change the coupling type on the original replacement boogie , I thought that was a good idea , but spare parts seem difficult to obtain, even traction tyres are out of stock at present.

[@EuviRail]

That would probably be an option alright. It's just a pity Hornby have given such poor attention to models like this and the Pendolino. They're so basic and with TTs they make a mess of your track.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

Just watched your video about the euro star problem with traction tyres I have the hornby virgin Alstom pendolino which also has traction tyres and the issues that you have shown in your video I also have the same problem going through my hornby express points stalling so I wondered would this procedure work on my Alstom pendolino set if so where could I get replacement wheels from great videos as always I like to watch your videos because from start to finish you discribe in detail all the information that we railway modellers like Best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway

[@EuviRail]

Hi Kevin, in theory the same process should apply though the performance may differ somewhat due to component (motor) differences. I have an Alstom Pendolino as well (which I like as a model) sitting in a box for the last year which I will probably dust down and take a look at in a few months when I complete my layout overhaul. I'll definitely be looking at this aspect of it as well. Thanks for your comments.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

@@EuviRail thanks for the fast response would you be using the same wheels for the pendolino as you did for the euro star or are they different also has the pendolino got a different motor thanks again Kev Beighton Parkway

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

Hi thanks for your reply about the Alstom pendolino regarding traction tyres I have done a bit of searching on the internet and found that hornby have done a modification to the bogie set for the pendolino and I manage to source item X9718M full wheel set with 1 axle with normal wheels and 1 with traction tyres and thought that I could use the normal wheels to replace the axle with the traction tyres on as the traction tyres on the Alstom pendolino luckily on the same axle and I purchased them from AC model spares price £8.99 plus postage not sure how many they have left in stock I hope this has been of help Best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway

[@EuviRail]

Thanks for that Kevin. Sounds like just the job. I picked up an equivalent replacement wheelset for the Class 395 which I haven't got around to installing yet.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

@@EuviRail thanks for the text my modified wheels set are due to be delivered this week so when I have fitted the new axle with the without the dreaded traction tyres I will let you know how I get on thanks again Best wishes Kev Beighton Parkway

[@wasted-blaster.]

Thank you for this video and doing the update your a star you really are!! I am running both my sets as 14+2 so now I'm wondering if leaving the traction tyres on will be a good idea? I mean I don't plan on having any points as my layout is based on HS1 anyway which is double track 90%of the time.

[@EuviRail]

Hi, it probably comes down to the track hygiene issue. If that's not a problem for you then maybe leave alone for now. Amazingly this set does run well on Radius 2 curves and is fine over regular Hornby point work.

[@eastmidlandparkway6267]

Hi kevin from Beighton Parkway Sheffield I noticed in one of your back videos you did a review of the hornby class 43 hst R3608 and that also has traction tyres have you ever considered changing them for normal ones I also have the same hst and wondered if wheel set replacement would work I have looked at service sheet 332 for the super detail which shows the wheel set X9862 and wondered if I could substitute them for the traction tyre ones what are your thoughts Kind Regards Kev Beighton Parkway Sheffield

[@EuviRail]

Hi Kevin, I sold on the R3608 shortly after my review as I wasn't that happy with it. I think changing the wheelset would have improved the overall running performance and DCC responsiveness which I found very poor. The Hornby MK3s are generally light in weight and smooth running so a reasonable rake without tyres should have been possible. The only question I have over the X9862 wheelset is whether the gearing will align with that in the R3608. If it didn't you could still remove and swap out the wheels themselves and retain the original axles.

[@brianfearn4246]

Very good video I'm considering doing this wheel swap with 2 hornby class 43s and 2 hornby 86s . I have a old hornby class 43 dummy car do you think I could use this as a doner? Kind regards.

[@euvitech7027]

Hi Brian, the must haves are making sure the wheel and axle diameters match the loco you intend to modify. Ideally you'll want an equivalent flange depth but you can live with some variation there and you'll also be looking for cosmetic equivalence so that the donor wheels don't look out of place. It's usually the axle diameter that will be the show stopper. Best of luck with your "upgrades". I hope to tackle my Pendolino next as the wheels with the traction tyres are shorting on my Peco express points just as the Eurostar was.

[@brianfearn4246]

@EUVITECH many thanks for your advice and best of luck with your pendelino.

[@westwonic]

I have an old HO gauge Lima Eurostar, of a similar age, in mint condition, and was going to convert it to DCC, but then realised it had traction tyres fitted. I'm not sure if I should sell it or try the conversion.

[@EuviRail]

Hi Nick, I'm not familiar with that model so can't say if the same sort of modification would apply and work as well. If it was the Hornby model as per my video I'd definitely do the mod. to remove the tyres and add some weight. The model runs better albeit it won't achieve the same top speed and you could have some trouble with inclines if you have them. I hope to revisit my Eurostar in the next few weeks to add some lighting and 2 more cars.

[@westwonic]

@@EuviRail thanks for your quick response. I guess as I'm using Inox for track cleaning the traction tyres must go or I just sell the Eurostar.

[@User-3O3]

5:37 It made me laugh when that product name came up. :)

[@EuviRail]

LOL, I didn't want to say the actual name and have the KZbin engine tag the video as having vulgar language!