I cannot comment on "other scales." S scale engines, those designed to run on code 100 and smaller rail are made without traction tires.
When Gilbert introduced their S gauge trains in 1946 they did not have traction tires. Lionel then created Magnetraction, which outpulled the Gilbert engines. Gilbert countered in 1952 with PullMor, vulcanized rubber traction tires. All Gilbert engines were then made with PullMor. An engine w/o traction tires could only pull about 5 cars up a grade made by the Gilbert trestle sets.
All S gauge engines made by Lionel since they bought Gilbert out of bankruptcy have traction tires. All engines with high rail wheels made by American Models have traction tires. Scale wheeled engines made by AM and by River Raisin do not. There is no issue, there is peace among the S gauge operators. Many Gilbert operators like to add PullMor wheels to older link coupler engines made without them.
