RJR posted:The 624 could drag many more cars back in 1954 than it can today.
Another diasvantage of magne-traction was that it picked up every sliver of ferrous metal on the layout.
Back in the 50's, I would also put tiny rubber bands on non-magne-traction loco wheels, up against the flanges. Worked great but short-lived.
Being an Atlas O track guy, I have no need or use for magne-traction, however, it does mean I don't have to deal with the traction tire issue. As you and others have noted, the power of magne-traction fades, over time, and my old engines won't pick up a strand of steel wool anymore - thank God.
Having betrayed your age by associating yourself with the 624, I guess we're both about the same age. My first Lionel locomotive was No. 2026 with plastic tender. The 2026 performed yoeman's service and suffered mightily at the hands of an inexperienced and reckless crew. Never having been designed for Acela type operations, the tender derailed endlessly. I finally figured out that it needed weight to keep it on the rails during Talgo-Tilt mode and so I filled it with plaster of Paris. Magne-traction served to keep the 2026 on the rails - mostly. Adhesion was not an issue, centrifugal force was the enemy in those days. The 2026 languishes in an old suitcase and the plaster is still good.
I have weighted my equipment ever since and, thanks to the weight conversion formula, found here on the "Old Reliable" OGR Forum, I can load cars up to at or near capacity in order to make my locomotives work for a living. Thanks for jogging my memory.
