Traction tires for Kato Mikado

[carmelmodelrr]

Is Bullfrog Snot the only choice?  Kato does not list either the tires or the axle with tires as far as I can find.

Carmelmodellrr

[peteski]

Is Bullfrog Snot the only choice?  Kato does not list either the tires or the axle with tires as far as I can find.

Carmelmodellrr

Kato's new website might still not be fully updated.  Before snot I would either call Kato at the designated days and hours and ask about those tires, or try emailing them at orders@katousa.com  (Bryan Bussey said that it is a good email address).

I say that because the Mikado parts page shows bunch of out of stock parts, but the tires are not even listed.  I would think that even if the tires were out of stock, they would still be shown on the website.

And if Kato really doesn't have them, try https://lovetrainhobbies.com/ . Snot is not a real solution.

[carmelmodelrr]

There was a Train Show in Indy this weekend with, among others, Kato representatives.  I asked them about the traction tires and he said they do not have them "but they will be arriving in the future".  He could not estimate a date.  Looks like I'll go to the website Peteski suggested.

carmelmodelrr

[dangerboy81]

I posted a wanted ad on one of the Canadian N scale sales Facebook groups, and received some responses. They weren't people asking for an arm and a leg either! Maybe try a post in one of the N scale pages on Facebook? I don't know if you are Canadian or American, but there are a bunch of busy pages catering to both sides of the border.

[mmagliaro]

You can find Kato traction tires on eBay listed for their Japanese prototype locos.  I think the 9mm x 1mm would be right for
the Mikado.  Measure one with a caliper to be 100% sure.  But those tires are available on eBay all the time.

Your other option is lovetrainhobbies, who make a huge array of sizes, widths and thicknesses of traction tires.
I just tested ones that I have on a Kato driver.  I only have 9, 10, and 6mm sizes.  The 9's are still a little too big.
The Lovetrain tires don't have as much stretch as the Kato, so a 9 sits too proud on there.  I think the 7mm or 8mm XT or XTS
would be the ticket.  The "X" means they are the thinner ones 0.35mm thick (not width... the actual thickness of
the tire above the wheel).  And the T is "thin".  The XT are .35mm thick, 1mm wide.  The XTS are 0.8mm wide. But I think
the 8mm diameter will do the trick.  Since they are only about $6/pack of 10, you could get 3-4 sizes and see what works the best.

I say all this because like everybody else, I'm sick of waiting around for Kato to stock such a routine always-needed item

I would not resort to Bullfrog snot before trying some different tires.  Real rubber tires will work better.

[mike_lawyer]

If you need a pair of the Kato traction tire, PM me.  I have some saved in my parts box.

[Doug G.]

You can find Kato traction tires on eBay listed for their Japanese prototype locos.  I think the 9mm x 1mm would be right for
the Mikado.  Measure one with a caliper to be 100% sure.  But those tires are available on eBay all the time.

Your other option is lovetrainhobbies, who make a huge array of sizes, widths and thicknesses of traction tires.
I just tested ones that I have on a Kato driver.  I only have 9, 10, and 6mm sizes.  The 9's are still a little too big.
The Lovetrain tires don't have as much stretch as the Kato, so a 9 sits too proud on there.  I think the 7mm or 8mm XT or XTS
would be the ticket.  The "X" means they are the thinner ones 0.35mm thick (not width... the actual thickness of
the tire above the wheel).  And the T is "thin".  The XT are .35mm thick, 1mm wide.  The XTS are 0.8mm wide. But I think
the 8mm diameter will do the trick.  Since they are only about $6/pack of 10, you could get 3-4 sizes and see what works the best.

I say all this because like everybody else, I'm sick of waiting around for Kato to stock such a routine always-needed item

I would not resort to Bullfrog snot before trying some different tires.  Real rubber tires will work better.

Right you are, Max. I bought several sizes from them a few years ago for my vintage locos and they work great.

Doug

[carlso]

 Try KATO part # 810004. The bag states the traction tires are for GS4/FEF.

[peteski]

Try KATO part # 810004. The bag states the traction tires are for GS4/FEF.

If the description is accurate then those locos have drivers quite a bit larger than the Mikado.  The TTs will likely be way too large to fit properly.
I just checked my parts stash, and the part # for Mikado  tires is 810000.  I have bunch of spares, so Carmelmodellrr, so either mike_lawyer or I can send couple of them to you.

PM either of us if you are interested.

[carmelmodelrr]

After the Kato response at the train show I ordered what I hope is the right size traction tires from the website noted by Peteski.  If I ordered the wrong size I’ll use one of your offers and get them from a Forum member.  Thank you for your advice and offers.

Carmelmodelrr