traction tires

[jerrymcc]

My Northern 4-8-4 has started throwing off the rubber traction tires...Are these tires supposed to be "glued" or otherwise fixed in place?...This loco has very few running hours, is 3 years old, and runs only at Christmas...Tires do not seem to be dried out...

[Mike C]

This does happen sometimes, although I have never had the problem. One way to keep them on is to first put a little black paint into the groove, then slip the tire back on. This usually holds them on. Another thing, with locos that have tires , don't slide them on the rails when you re-rail then. Sometimes this will cause the tires to stretch.....Mike

[railtwister]

Also remember that oil and track cleaning fluids can adversely affect traction tires as well.

Bill in FtL

[James in FL]

Agreeing with both of the above.
Next time it throws the tire, swab the inside of the tire and also the wheel grove with some isopropyl and a Q-tip. After they are clean and dry, try a bit of paint as Mike says.
I don't ever slide a traction tired loke on, or along the track; it's just not good practice.
Sometimes they never fit back as well as they are intended, and you will have to replace.
I try to keep a small stock of the sizes I use/will need for years to come.  They are cheap enough.

Good luck