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Purchased ten years ago, from a used set breakup.

All four drive wheels are "ribbed".  It runs fine but sounds like a sewing machine on the track. 

The manual I downloaded doesn't mention traction tires or the "ribbing".

Is the purpose of the "ribbing" traction?  Have not seen other locos with this.

I installed traction tires but of course that insulates the outside rails and it won't run.

I could leave 2 traction tires off, which reduces the sewing machine noise, but also impacts operation, is there another solution?

Thanks!
Alan

 

Alaska T0-4-0

 

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  • Alaska T0-4-0
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ALERT, ALERT THAT CAN BE REMEDIED !

I have quickly and easily machined the wheels smooth, and it is now a joy to run and it can pull 6 - 10 cars on level track with ease ! Flywheel action on this loco is top notch! I will post pics of the process and the results this week. Anyone can do it. It is worthwhile !, Clifford.

Kelunaboy, I will try to explain, but pictures would be helpful. I used a 2" abrasive pad, (3m) on a  air powered angle die-grinder . I used an accessory transformer attached to the roller pick-up and the frame. Flipped the loco on its back and secured gently in a vise. Here is the key to success, With voltage applied, I chose 14 volts, using light pressure on 1 drive wheel while pulling the trigger on the die grinder apply light to medium pressure on the wheels surface while watching the ribs disappear, at the same time you should count at about once a second. When all of the ribs disappear stop the grinder and keep track of the number you counted to. Use this number to count to on the next wheel and so on until all the ribs are gone from all 4 wheels. If you keep a good count all 4 wheels will be nearly the same and the loco will operate smoothly and quietly without wobble. I've done it 3 times with success. IMG_0597IMG_0598

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It would be difficult to use a file and end up with a round wheel. It would end up bouncing off the ribs leaving you with four dissimilar polygons. High speed abrasives with a light touch would give the best result.

If I had one of these I would just machine 4 metal tires. Actually it appears MTH just left off the tires to save a few cents.

Pete

 

"Actually it appears MTH just left off the tires to save a few cents."

I always thought that the reasoning was electrical pickup; the flanges do indeed do part of the connecting on our locos, but I imagine that 4 wheels with "rubber" tires on them would have given iffy performance at best. 2 smooth and 2 "tired" might have worked. 

My ROW 3RO brass "Docksider" has no traction tires at all. It pulls anything that an 0-4-0 should be asked to do. If you find one of these on eBay it would make for a nice upgrade from the MTH. I think that they are both over-scale, especially the RK.

D, I was refering to steel tires, not rubber traction tires. A week or so ago a forum member found the steel tires had come off his 2-8-0. The cast wheel underneath was ribbed to make pressing on steel tires easier. I haven't checked but PSC or Stevenson may offer tires that fit.

Stevenson does have a few.

http://stevensonpreservationli...dex.php?cPath=101_59

Pete

Last edited by Norton

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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