Traction tires on a modern half axle diesel.

[craigolio1]

Any body know of a source for traction tire equipped wheels that work with modern half axel diesel locos? This could be an after market wheelset, plundered from an existing model, available as parts from a manufacturer, or even the tires them selves that I could put on a modified wheel set.

Thanks.

Craig

[Sharky_McSharknose]

The Arnold U25C might make a good donor. It has traction tires on 2 out of 12 wheels. There's a picture on Spookshow of the truck with the cover off so you can get an idea of what those parts look like.

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/arnoldu25c.html

[peteski]

The Arnold U25C might make a good donor. It has traction tires on 2 out of 12 wheels. There's a picture on Spookshow of the truck with the cover off so you can get an idea of what those parts look like.

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/arnoldu25c.html

That model does not use Kato-style half-axles.  It used the old-school internal-bearing solid axle wheelset with the wheels and gear all pressed onto that axle.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

That model does not use Kato-style half-axles.  It used the old-school internal-bearing solid axle wheelset with the wheels and gear all pressed onto that axle.

Thanks for setting me straight on that.

[CRL]

Try Bullfrog SNOT.

http://bullfrogsnot.com/

[craigolio1]

Try Bullfrog SNOT.

http://bullfrogsnot.com/

I thought about the Snot but I’d like to see if I could use something that won’t eventually need reapplication. Not that tires don’t need replacement but I imagine Snot would more quickly.

That said I have no experience with it so I will put that in the possibly column.

[rrjim1]

Some BLI locos use them.  I have replaced the wheels on a couple BLI locos with Kato wheels. The wheels are slightly different dia. so I changed them all and had to also adjust the axle length.   

[peteski]

Some BLI locos use them.  I have replaced the wheels on a couple BLI locos with Kato wheels. The wheels are slightly different dia. so I changed them all and had to also adjust the axle length.

I thought that BLI used blunt (not pointed) axle ends. Maybe different BLI models have different axle end designs?

[rrjim1]

[peteski]

So, they use both styles, depending on the model.  My BLI Centipede uses stub axle ends.  Good to know  -  thanks.  So which model are those wheels from?

[craigolio1]

Yes now we’re talking. Thanks for this. Which model do they come from?

Craig

[rrjim1]

Yes now we’re talking. Thanks for this. Which model do they come from?

Craig

The newer E8s and PA1s, just make sure you ask for the ones with pointed axles. 

[peteski]

A heads-up when getting parts from BLI.  Few months ago I wanted to get some T1 drivers for an experiment with the T1 I own.  The customer service/parts dept.  folks were very nice, but they let me know in no uncertain terms that they do not sell spare parts for kitbashing projects (even if I own the particular model).  They will supply parts for for someone wanting to do their own repair of a BLI loco, but that's about it.  They finally sold me what I asked for, but it was not easy.  They do not have  the same sales model that Kato or Atlas have regarding spare parts. So good luck trying to get a set of E-unit wheels for a kitbash.  Maybe try to buy complete truck assemblies, so you will end up with 3 wheelsets from each truck.

[craigolio1]

Good to know. Thank you

Craig

[davefoxx]

Just curious, but why do you want to add traction tires?  First, it does nothing to help with electrical continuity from the rails, and, second, what’s the plan when the traction tires become brittle and you can’t find replacements?  My solution is to do as the prototype would and just add another locomotive.

DFF