Traction tires needed?

I cant answer if you have to use them or not....but take a look at bullfrog snot. Might work for you and you don't have to take anything apart....just turn your engine upside down and turn the wheels slowly and apply it. Let it dry overnight and your good to go....at least thats what they claim...worth a look. Google bullfrog snot

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If I get too many at once, they just get brittle on their own.

I keep tires on hand for Lionel postwar steam and diesel engines, and for the 8401 hand car. They are stored in little ziplock parts bags (one size per bag, not one tire per bag), which in turn are kept in a drawer.
I haven't noticed any going bad. Some have been sitting around for years.

Just replaced my first set on my Kline mike. With Kline gone what am I to do when this pair wear out?

Do a little search on the forums guys Dennis B has an excellent thread somewhere using RTV silicone sealant instead of the rubber tires.Comes in a tube so one size fits all LOL.

David

No, traction tires are not needed for short trains, which I'd say is 15 or less cars. All of my Post War Lionel engines will do that or more without traction tires.

And no, I wouldn't run traction tire engines without them. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else come right out and say that. Probably because it hasn't been experimented with long term very much. But, I can't believe it'd be good for either the track or wheels.

I agree with C.W. on storing them. To my knowledge quality rubber can last a long, long time.

Btw, I can't really vouch for it, but a long time ago someone told me I could extend the life of the hip and chest waders I use for duck hunting by rolling them up and keeping them in the freezer instead of just hanging them in the garage. Maybe that's an idea for traction tire storage, maybe not...

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Originally posted by superwarp1:
Just replaced my first set on my Kline mike. With Kline gone what am I to do when this pair wear out?

Gary, Most likely an MTH or Lionel tire will fit. G

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Originally posted by DPC:
Do a little search on the forums guys Dennis B has an excellent thread somewhere using RTV silicone sealant instead of the rubber tires.Comes in a tube so one size fits all LOL. David

That was a great solution. Perhaps Dennis can be encouraged to repost his method along with the type of silicone he used. As I recall, it was some type he purchased at Home Depot, not a regular window sealer, and he detailed the procedure.

I think that many others followed his instructions and were very pleased with the results, since he seemed to have the technique down fairly well.

Dennis? You out there? Greg

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Originally posted by GGG:

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Originally posted by superwarp1:
Just replaced my first set on my Kline mike. With Kline gone what am I to do when this pair wear out?

Gary, Most likely an MTH or Lionel tire will fit. G

You mite want to try the ones for the MTH Scale Mikes. I ordered some of the Lionel and they are a real bear to install.