Tony et al.
Actually, I wouldn't knurl the wheels on my KGV--just wish it had steel
tyres! The little Finescale GWR 48xx 0-4-2T "grips" so well with the steel
drivers. Those SS tyres are OK for toughability and rust prevention but not
very practical for adhesion. I still like Walt's idea of rubber tyres--oil
resistant. But- then it wouldn't be prototypical--but then, nor is SS.
Further more, I'd prefer the drivers were not insulated at all--I never
seem to run the King on electrified track- and as you found out, heat --
certain chemicals too, I suspect, can do damage to the insulation. I like
the sound of that epoxy you used--I have always used JB Weld.
I don't seem to have much trouble with slippage on the King as I did with
the Chapelon Nord. Of course, I don't have all the lovely Frog coaches to
pull. Next time I run, since I now have more Finescale GWR coaches, I
will report to you. My elevated track is covered with ant trails and slug
slime. Good for traction but really goos up the coach wheels.
In summation, I'll have you machine steel tyres for me--when you get a
lathe--in fact, we could go into business, selling steel tyres for Asters!
Bring the KGV to Sacramento in July, where i hope to see a lot of
SSlivesteamers!
Geoff.
Hi Geoff,
> Traction tyres or no.
>Call them what you will. But the wheels are two piece, with
>inner spoked wheels and a seperate wheel flanged rim approx.
>.125" wall width.
>(As all full size. prototypes). However the Aster,
>s rims are probably stainless steel as you said, and maybe
>machined from tube.
> Maybe it
>was the electrical insulation melting out. I never thought of
>that. (The seam is around the o/d of the inner primary wheel )
>i.e. Press fit joint line around the rim. The
>inner wheel o/d rim and the inner diameter of the tyre also has
> 2 ?
>degree angle across the width, so easy to re-fit and self
>centering, without any wobble.
> I guess I replaced the insulation with the Superweld
>Metalised Epoxy, which may not be a very good insulater. Which
>is OK, as I don't like those horrid little volts running through
> my track!.. Having said that, my U1
>is so quiet it may as well be electric powered anyway.
> I would willingly knurl some treads on your tyres, if I
>had a lathe. I am already looking. Just do not expect
>the knurls to be full depth diamonds!.
> I surmise you also are have had traction problems with
>your KGV.?
>I added approx 2 pounds wieght to mine, now it has a natural
>wheelspin at startoff, not all the way round my track. It could
> be those heavy J&M coaches
>as well.
> Feeling Chuffed!,
> Tony D.
