Does anyone know a source for Minitrix parts? All I'm looking for is a couple traction tires for a Minitrix "Flying Scotsman" 4-6-2. The only parts alternatives I can find are Nurmberg (nicht gut, weil meine Deutsch ser schlect ist) and an East Coast facility that wants $60-70 to 'service' my loco after I sign here, here and there, then insure and ship the loco. Actually, running without the rubber traction tire improves electrical pickup. Unfortunately, it also causes the grooved driver to ride the rail and run even worse. My wife wonders why I'm running around the house with scissors, '...looking for tubing and little rubber bands.' We thank you for your help. Scott
You might try Walthers as they do sell traction tires. You might find what you are looking for. Sorry, I wish I could help more. This is precisely why I campaign for TT-less steam locomotives. However, this isn't going to help you resolve your problem. Best of luck!
Con-Cor has or did have traction tires for various of its locos. http://www.all-railroads.com/roundhse/nparts.htm It is possible one of the sizes listed will fit. I used the tire for the USRA pacific on a Con-Cor/Kato Hudson, not having the Hudson specific tire. Works better than the original tire. Ben
Wow,... that's like the most completely 'non-english' english icon I've ever clicked. Where are the nscalepartenflugens? Der bitsanstuff? That's right up there with the home-base Tomytec website. Hey, I can't speak Swedish either....
Same as English but with a lilt. I did a search for traction tire but got no results. Didn't try "tyre." Edit: A Walthers search for traction tire revealed no results but using only "tire" revealed one actually available - Calumet Trains LLC 192-1513 Vinyl Super Traction Tire -- Steam N 6.95. This may be the former Stewart line of tires. These can be stretched using a ball point pen or marking pen of diameter similar to your driver. Takes a little effort to get them fitting smoothly but if like the Stewart tires they work well. My supply of Stewart tires is down to only 3. Ben
Minitrix is owned by Marklin. So a Marlkin dealer should be able to get you the parts. If you don't know of any, here is one who is a friend of mine... http://www.tedstrains.com/ I know that he'd be more than happy to ship the parts to you. Oh....be advised....these parts are very expensive. Certainly more so that what we come to expect from Altas or Kato. :-( I don't want you to get sticker shock.
Try using the Kato Mikado traction tires which are available. Model Power spares ought to work but I don't know if they can be had. Stewart Industries (not the company that Bowser bought, the other one) used to have a TT installation tool and several sizes of replacement tires, but they were pretty thick vinyl-tubing type stuff and not the best (neoprene-ish rubber) type or contour. As a last resort you could experiment with rolling your own by filling in the groove with silicone bathtup caulk and then truing the tire up by turning the wheel against sandpaper/files..... I'd be inclined to get a junker and swap out the driver with a full tired one and live with the reduced pulling power rather than dealing with the traction tires. Charlie Vlk
This might be worth a try, Model Power in Farmingdale, Long Island, NY used to be distributer in the USA of Minitrix. They used to also do repairs at their store. There is a slight chance that they might have some Minitrix parts laying around. Here is their information. It's worth a try and good luck. MODEL POWER 180 Smith Street Farmingdale, NY 11735 1-800-628-2803 General Questions: info@modelpower.com Web Orders: websales@modelpower.com
I'm pretty sure the Flying Scottsman is the same chassis as the Minitrix K4 Pacific. Model Power is closing out their Minitrix parts right now, 50% off retail. Many of the SPF's on atlas board have found this out and snatched up most of the boilers and tender shells for kitbashes but I'm pretty sure other parts are still around. As Bernard metioned, Model Power should be your best bet.
I have no idea on which swedish homepage you did search minitrix spare parts... ! if I go to the trixshop.de website and click on English a new page opens, on the left, the 2nd box has Spare Parts, click on Spare Parts and you get a box where you can choose Trix or Minitrix (Gauge N) and then you can download pdf files of different models... ...why I am doing this here ?
Minitrix parts Thanks to all of you who responded to my asking how to get TTs for my MInitrix 4-6-2s. Wow - what a support system you guys are! For those of you also looking for Minitrix parts, I think I've got 'em coming both from Model Power and from Ted's Trains. Clearing out its Minitrix, Model Power is selling parts for 50% off. Let's see - that'd be $2.13 for a package of 2 tires. Scott
Wow, Steve, I felt sufficiently humbled (and stupid) to go back and try it again..... Hit the 'english', flashed, came back all German still. Only a couple of words here and there are english. Nothing says 'spare parts' anywhere. Apparently "alle spuren" is spare parts, I get a nice list, but still can't tell. I wonder if the site has issues with IE 6 or something... anyway, thanks for trying! Language challenged...
Minitrix parts Again, to those looking for Minitrix parts: www.trixshop.de is a source for MiniTrix mechanical drawings, but just for those locos they still have parts for. Keep re-pushing the "English" button, and you'll eventually get it. Remember that you'll be paying TrixShop Euros for parts, and the dollar is super weak right not. Solution: see next. Model Power in NY seems to have lotsa Trix parts in stiock, and they're currently clearance-priced at 50% off. Michael, the parts manager, is one of the best customer service people you'll ever work with. To disconnect a con rod from drivers of a Minitrix steamer (or at least the British prototypes I have), you'll need a 2mm hexdriver to gently remove the hex screws. I found one in my tiny town, but you can go to www.wihatools.com and order a 2mm hexdriver for $3.28. Wiha has a great range of hexdrivers and other miniature tools. Danke zur alle fur die Hilfe! ("Thanks, guys!") Scott
Model Power Mogul - good news! Part 1 - it's not just a myth: In talking with a gent at Model Power, today, he assured me that MP is actively working on significantly changing and improving the mogul's tender pickup. He had to be careful what he said and not promise anything, but he was excited about the new tender. He went into a lot of detial, some of it over my head. For me and anyone else who believes the new-and-improved mogul will revolutionize the hobby, this is news we've been waiting for. Part 2 - feedback and traction tires: What seems different about vendor-guy Michael is that he's also a serious model railroader - one of us. He says he wants to hear from us in order to get things right. I told him that Rick, others and I don't like TTs - would rather have steadier conductivity than traction (ya oughta see what'll go up my 2.25% hill without rubber or sand!). Recognizing the 2 schools of though, Michael suggested that maybe he can influence an MP decision to go both ways - a TT for some of you or just steel for my embanked curves. No promise, but a strong possibility - he was listening. Part 3 - Michael asks your imput for improvements and new products. I told him why I think that N-scale ought to go towards smaller locos - that's why the new mogul wil be a winner. You may not agree - may want more Big Boys and Challengers. E-mail him on his private 'line' - www.nscale@modelpower.com - he inviites it. Going back to my perfect "ConCor" Husdons of 25 years ago, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Kato. I'll tell ya - I'm thiinking MP could soon be the next Kato. I asked Michael if there might be more smaller locos on the drawing board. Without pausing, he coyly answered, "You won't be disappointed." :tb-rolleyes: Scott
Scott and all tuned in, This is good news. Thanks for the heads up. And, to think I almost missed this. Scott I appreciate your Private e-mail. I could go into the pro's and con. Better to say, the TT-less, Mikado's I own will pull 8-9 freight cars with Micro-train trucks, up my 2% grades. If I coax it I might get one or two more cars. That may not seem like a lot to you flat lander model rails but that's considerable for a TT-less locomotive. As long as it doesn't stutter and jerk it will make the climb. Clean track is a must. With metal wheels and nickel silver track you can't loose. No joke!
