Bachman class J traction tires

[carmelmodelrr]

Has anyone replaced the traction tires on an N scale Bachman Class J steamer?  How difficult is it?

Carmelmodelrr
Richard Wroblewski

[mmagliaro]

I haven't actually replaced them on mine, but I do have the engine (I assume you mean the "new era" 2006 or later J, not the awful one from the 1980s and 90s).   The tires are on the 3rd driver, which is not pinned to the rods.  So, like the Kato Mikado, you should be able to just unscrew the cover plate and remove it, then carefully lift the 3rd driver axle out.  Slip a new tire on (use something smooth, like a toothpick, to guide the rubber tire around the rim as you slip it on).  Then replace the driver and screw the cover plate back on. 

Since the 3rd driver isn't pinned to the rods, you can't mess up the quartering.  You might get the driver in oriented a little off, so the counterweights or the crank hole area don't line up with the rods, but that will not affect the running.  If you can see that it doesn't look right, just gently lift it out, rotate it a little and drop it back in.

[peteski]

I haven't actually replaced them on mine, but I do have the engine (I assume you mean the "new era" 2006 or later J, not the awful one from the 1980s and 90s).   The tires are on the 3rd driver, which is not pinned to the rods.  So, like the Kato Mikado, you should be able to just unscrew the cover plate and remove it, then carefully lift the 3rd driver axle out.  Slip a new tire on (use something smooth, like a toothpick, to guide the rubber tire around the rim as you slip it on).  Then replace the driver and screw the cover plate back on. 

Since the 3rd driver isn't pinned to the rods, you can't mess up the quartering.  You might get the driver in oriented a little off, so the counterweights or the crank hole area don't line up with the rods, but that will not affect the running.  If you can see that it doesn't look right, just gently lift it out, rotate it a little and drop it back in.

Why not just remove and replace the tires without even removing that driver?  Assuming that the tire can slip between the wheel face and the siderod (which is should).  That would be much easier than removing the bottom cover plate.

[mmagliaro]

Why not just remove and replace the tires without even removing that driver?  Assuming that the tire can slip between the wheel face and the siderod (which is should).  That would be much easier than removing the bottom cover plate.

I considered this.  But in my experience, it's more of a pain manipulating the tire in behind the rod, and then stretching it around the driver, while it's on the engine.  I have tried it this way on other engines.  Once the driver is out, you can just go around the rim with a toothpick gently stretching and dropping the tire into position.  No fuss.  No muss.

To each his own, I suppose.