My MTH N&W Y3?b has been running without tires, because after changing them twice with the recommended MTH tires, and being a pain in the donkey to change, I just left them off. Given that my layout is flat save for a slight hill to get over a river, and I haul short trains, and engine is really heavy, I haven't had a problem in years.
After all, the big boys don't use rubber tires on their engines.....
You mileage may vary....