Maybee I am doing something wrong, but I can not find what I need anywhere,
so hopfully someone here can help. I purchased a Life-Like F40PH (amtrak)
on eBAY, Well the engine isn't exactly brand new and the (are they called
traction bands?) on the wheels are gone. The engine gets absolutley no
traction right now, and since the bands are gone, the lip on the wheel hits
the ties when the engine is manually moved. Someone mentioned locating
orthodotic bands and using them in place, but will that really work. Would
prefer to use something I know is going to work, Can someone tell me where
I can loctate replacements.
=>Maybee I am doing something wrong, but I can not find what I need anywhere,
=>so hopfully someone here can help. I purchased a Life-Like F40PH (amtrak)
=>on eBAY, Well the engine isn't exactly brand new and the (are they called
=>traction bands?) on the wheels are gone. The engine gets absolutley no
=>traction right now, and since the bands are gone, the lip on the wheel hits
=>the ties when the engine is manually moved. Someone mentioned locating
=>orthodotic bands and using them in place, but will that really work. Would
=>prefer to use something I know is going to work, Can someone tell me where
=>I can loctate replacements.
Orthodontic bands of the correct diameter will work, according to people who
have tried them. But IMO, it's better to fix the wheels so you don't need
traction rings. Take the engine apart, so you can get at the wheels with the
traction rings. Clean 'em up in degreaser (eg, alcohol) and detergent. Then
fill the grooves with quicksetting epoxy. When the epoxy has set, gently file
it down to the level of the wheel's tire. Reassemble. You'll find that an
engine treated this way has just about the same pulling power as one without
rubber bands. This is a permanent fix - that is, the epoxy will last longer
than the mechanism, which is not a very durable one, unfortunately.
While you have the engine apart, clean the whole mechanism, and lubricate it
with Labelle or Aerocar plastic-compatible oils. Also, get Aerocar's contact
cleaner-lubricant, and put a small drop on the commutator of the motor. The
trickiest part of this operation is re-installing the power-pickups, which
bear against the backs of the wheels. It's possible to bend these out of
shape, so take care, and ensure they are properly seated behind the wheels.
I'd wash the body shell in detergent too, while I'm at it. Amazinng how much
dirt and grunge accumulates on an engine. :-)
HTH&GL
My mind is almost completely blank right now, but there have been ads,
for a few years now, in MR for replacement traction tires...the
advertiser usually sells a kit with various sizes, plus the
installation "tool" for about six bucks plus shipping.
I can't seem to find that ad...but I did buy the kit once myself a few
years back, and replaced a lot of traction tires very easily with it.
Try a Marklin dealer - all their models have traction tyres and the quality is
excellent.
Roco also use traction tyres, but the situation becomes more complex because in
addition to various diameters there are different thicknesses.
Rosco wrote:
> Maybee I am doing something wrong, but I can not find what I need anywhere,
> so hopfully someone here can help. I purchased a Life-Like F40PH (amtrak)
> on eBAY, Well the engine isn't exactly brand new and the (are they called
> traction bands?) on the wheels are gone. The engine gets absolutley no
> traction right now, and since the bands are gone, the lip on the wheel hits
> the ties when the engine is manually moved. Someone mentioned locating
> orthodotic bands and using them in place, but will that really work. Would
> prefer to use something I know is going to work, Can someone tell me where
> I can loctate replacements.
>
> --
>
>
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