Skipgear beat me to it, but I recall that those people who had the skill to take apart MP Pacifics and Mikados to install MP rubber tires had to alter the brake shoe, as well.
Jim, I'm as 'Nam vet as well. USMC. The plate on my car is TET VET (see http://www.panoramio.com/photo/16465884 ) For the B-Mann Lt. Mtn, I did the bearing block fix, that helped, and I added BULLFROG SNOT to the remaining geared driver. Now it pulls 10 car mixed trains up 3%. When SNOT'd, B-mann engines want to get down on their knees and pull. Except the Spectrum 2-8-0 which walks off the track when working. Anyone have ideas about that? I wish they'd release that 2-10-0. Don't we have a term for women that do things like that? PM me with an address for a sample, they're going fast. Bill
"Snot" on an Atlas GP40... Ok...I gave "Snot" a go. I have an older Atlas GP40 that was lucky to pull 15 cars. I 'snotted' the rear drivers on the front truck. It's suggested to "let it cure overnight, or at least several hours." I got antsy...I gave it 3 hours curing time. Took it out to the train trailer and hooked it up to a 22 car consist...hoping for the best. I think the video shows the results... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xZiHPCjIlQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xZiHPCjIlQ[/ame] I give Bullfrog Snot an A- . The only reason it is an A MINUS is because I had to wait 3 hours for the Snot to cure...LMFAO ! Bill? I think ya got a winner going there 5***** :tb-cool::tb-cool::tb-cool: .
The train is out there running right now. It's been running about 2 hours now. I will let it run a few hours more tonight. I will run it probably 8 hours a day and check the the "Snot" daily and let ya know how its doing. :tb-wink::tb-cool: .
George, looks like that loco is flyin' around the tracks! Can you try to keep adding cars until the loco won't move? Or was it a bit hesitant with the 22 cars? -Mike
Mike ?? 22 is all I have right now running...LOL. I did stick my hand on the track and that little loco smacked it hard and was pushin!! I imagine I could put quite a few more behind her ! I will see what I can gather up to add to the back tomorrow. BTW..the throttle was only set at 45 when I filmed that...yessssssss !!! :tb-cool: ** Just thought I would post these pics of the process. The snot really does shrink and becomes almost invisible. I dont see any evidence it would cause a wobble or cause any adverse effect on balance. .
Bill, My sample Bullfrog Snot arrived today. Testing will commence probably after Christmas simply because I tore up my test loop to start working on my layout, and most of my trains are at the clubhouse. I will share some with the club and see if I can get the HO guys on it. I think I will try to get a couple guys associated with my favorite LHS to try it, too.
I would really like to see someone put some on a LL Berkshire......I can see it now....Long strings of refers headed behind one classy loco! Chuck
I've asked for a sample and will try it out on one of my Berks when (if) I get it. In the meantime, you might try a trick I've found very successful. I take a thin strip (cut the width of the driver) of Scotch permanent double-sided tape (sold in a yellow/black checked dispenser or box) and apply it to the rear drivers on the Berk. Instant traction. One of my Berks will pull 25 or more reefers with this mod, and here is the video to prove it: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kudjM0qjeS0"]YouTube - N-Scale NKP Berkshire w/Sound[/ame] The only downside is that you lose some electrical pickup from the engine by doing this, but since the Berk has all-wheel pickup via the tender (at least, the last two runs, #'s 740, 765, 776 and 779 do; the earlier run only had power pickup from one tender truck), the loss of some pickup in the engine usually isn't a problem. I have 9 of them, all modified this way, all run great and pull a more realistic consist. But I have high hopes for Snot. We'll see. John C.
One more thing about BULLFROG SNOT. Don't freeze it. If the Postal Service is going to leave it on your front step on the tundra in Frostbite Falls you are going to receive a superball in a jar. Also keep it away from Kryptonite. That green glowing stuff. But no one's complained about that yet. It's OK with depleted uranium. Bill
I applied it last night to an original run MP Pacific. DON'T apply in too thick of a coat since the brake shoe will get gummed up. Actually, the first wheel I tried went on fine. Stupidly (or carelessly) I did the second wheel a bit too thick. I scraped off what I could on the second wheel and we will see what happens tonight after the curing period is over. I will report tomorrow. BTW- I cut a rectangle out of the center of a small piece of pink 1" foamboard. That is my cradle. On the Pacifics and Mikados from MP, just attach one lead to either axle on the front tender truck and the other to either axle on the rear and you have your work station operating.
kryptonite is any surviving fragment of the exploded mythological planet Krypton, home of Superman. .
short term results so far; The Atlas B32-8 with one "snotted" wheel has shown a 25% increase in pulling ability up the grade. the 2-6-6-2 with one driver on each engine " Snotted" went from 22 to 32 cars up the grade, almost doubling the train length. These are early results, but look promising if the stuff stays effective for a reasonable length of time.
UPDATE: Got 2 more cars 'fixed' this morning. The Atlas GP 40 has been pulling 24 cars now for almost 12 hours. I just checked the snotted wheels with a magnifying glass and there is no wear from what I see. .
Thanks for the answers about Kryptonite fellas. I tried to tell her about it but it was the novelty of trainboard so she had to ask. She shows a fair amount of Intrest in modeling, mostly in building structures and watching/running the trains. She is only 9 and very curious about everything! I'ts worth encouraging intrest in good wholesome hobby fun in youngsters. I'll also involve her in testing the Bullfrog Snot as a sience experement. Cant hurt, right? :tb-biggrin: Sorry didnt mean to Hyjack the thread. Mike
mtntrainman and river_eagle, how's the slow speed running of the diesels effected by removing one wheelset's worth of pickup?
