The new RAPIDO DASH 8-40CM are equipped with traction tires on the front and rear site. Traction tires on Model Railroad locomotives is not an option for me. That's why I converted my new DASH 8 with normal wheelsets. At this point, many thanks to Rapido Trains for the great service! Enough talk, see for yourself ...
Yeah, I'm not a fan of traction tires either. Arnold put them on their SW1 and U25c locomotives that I have. I know they are no longer in business so I should be looking for replacement wheels or tires now BEFORE I need them. Anyway, glad for you! Saving yourself some trouble down the road. Some people use Bullfrog Snot to replace missing traction tires, but I don't know how well that works. Just wondering if your locomotive really needed them in the first place? It is probably heavy enough already to pull well. I know my Arnold U25c is. Also most people probably run two or more units together to look more prototypical anyway providing plenty of pulling power I would think. Thanks for sharing. Ralph
That's what I like about Rapido. They just seem like 'real people' and not a huge corporate front. With split axles like that, the conversion was probably pretty straightforward. I'm surprised they didn't include replacement axles in the box. I know many people don't like traction tires. In HO, I think Broadway Limited has separate axles available to replace steam drivers with traction tires. They (traction tires) just make cleaning wheels a pain. I have a PIKO model I got in Europe that has traction tires, and the old 'paper towel with isopropyl on the rails' trick doesn't work because the tires have too much grip. I threw a tire once and had to disassemble the entire model to get the axle out and put the tire back on.
Just the thought of having to disassemble the side rods on my Kato 4-8-4 to change a traction tire gives me nightmares. Ralph
Dogwood : Did you notice a big difference of behavior without the traction tires? Better or worst than other Kato or Atlas engines? Thanks Envoyé de mon SM-G970F en utilisant Tapatalk
No. The locos run's very well. As a result, one less problem...blown loco (truck) tires on main line I have no confidence in the traction tires.
Tried to get replacement wheel, but they have none at this time...maybe later and to check back later.
