D&H 65 is correct on the killers of tires. RTR12, I have never seen tubular track wear through. The wall thickness is much thicker than Gargraves and others. I replace about two, sometimes 4 traction tires a year. I swear by the outline D&H 65 put out. A traction tire put on properly will go the distance. I always try to tell newer train guys to roll the tire on a wheel and not stretch it like a rubber band. Whatever you stretch a tire to will be the final size. They do not work like a rubber band they stay where you stretch them to. In the past years Lionel has had some very nasty tires that need to be replaced by MTH (better quality) tires.
Stay clear of using any glue to put on a traction tire and stay clear of that Bullfrog product. Roll the tire on and it will last. BTW, I have many engines and run my trains every day and tires put on properly are not a problem. Any tire that comes off should be thrown away.
RJR, I also have many engines from that era that were converted to PS2 and PS3. The original tires are as good today as they were back in the day.
