torqueofthedevil Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Evening all, I have just received a loco which I bought on eBay. It's in great cosmetic condition and the motor works fine - but it struggles to move even on a straight, and slips to a halt on a curve, because it has no traction tyres. Inevitably it can't haul anything! This is a little disappointing as the listing states 'runs well in either direction' - the motor does but not the loco! What can I do to cure this? The obvious one is to add some tyres, but sourcing the correct type (it's a Minitrix Swiss Co-Co) will be difficult and fitting them will also be a challenge. Equally, I could send it back, but is there anything else I can do to improve its performance? Is there any way of improving adhesion other than tyres? I suspect not but I thought I'd check! Thanks in advance for any help! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 A tub of snot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 A tub of snot. It works as well......use it on Retford! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbishop Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Evening all, I have just received a loco which I bought on eBay. It's in great cosmetic condition and the motor works fine - but it struggles to move even on a straight, and slips to a halt on a curve, because it has no traction tyres. Inevitably it can't haul anything! This is a little disappointing as the listing states 'runs well in either direction' - the motor does but not the loco! What can I do to cure this? The obvious one is to add some tyres, but sourcing the correct type (it's a Minitrix Swiss Co-Co) will be difficult and fitting them will also be a challenge. Equally, I could send it back, but is there anything else I can do to improve its performance? Is there any way of improving adhesion other than tyres? I suspect not but I thought I'd check! Thanks in advance for any help! Push. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
torqueofthedevil Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 Wow thanks for the quick replies! Bullfrog snot it is. Hoping for a contribution from the seller...that snot don't come cheap! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 The snot works well, but the sample I had dried out before I could do more than test it - undoubtedly my fault for not ensuring the container was air tight. It is an insulator, so keep it off wheels used for pick up. Traction tyres could possibly be available for another make with the same size (or slightly smaller) wheels. Minitrix will be difficult to source. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I use slices of heatshrink sleeving. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 This adhesive was mentioned on small suppliers https://sugru.com/about. Has anyone tried it for traction tyres? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I have a pathological loathing of "rubber" tyres on model trains, so have never tried this myself, but I do wonder if ordinary silicone sealant could be used in this application. Smear on a very slightly oversized dose, then trim the excess off afterwards with a scalpel. Has anyone tried it? K Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tomlinson Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Peters Spares in county Durham have recently started selling Minitrix traction tyres for class 47's, and although I haven't tried I'd guess these are the right size for your Swiss loco (or close). Price is £4.80 for 20, and worth a quick flip through the rest of their range if ordering to combine postage. You could call them to see if they know the wheel diameters to check sizing. John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
torqueofthedevil Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Thanks again for all the replies, much appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locomad Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 I use slices of heatshrink sleeving. Stewart Definitely works replace all my tyres this way, cut heat shrink tube about thickness of tyre required, use silghtly larger diameter, place over tyre then heat shrink using either a gas flame solder iron or electric, strinks onto tyre lasts longer than rubber or O rings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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