Hi, everyone. I just signed up after reading a thread in the N scale section on what appears to be a new product called Bullfrog snot. I had been searching for a solution to poor traction on a Union Pacific 202 that is about 30 yrs old. It doesn't have magnitraction and I get significant wheel spin when pulling only 5 cars up a 2% grade. I was actually searching for some traction tires I could use to modify the wheels when I came across the Bullfrog Snot on eBay. A net search for that lead me to the N scale thread here. The asking price for a jar is kind of steep for an unknown product but the thread mentioned that there were samples available so I contacted the manufacturer (known here as rdgnut) and he agreed to send me a sample. I will be posting my results here as soon as the sample arrives. If possible, I will post before and after videos of the 202. All for now, Steve
Welcome Slartibartfast. Do you have a layout? Does it have fjords? Particularly in an African setting?
Here is the eBay link Greg, Here is the seller's link: eBay Seller: stacysoutlet: Toys Hobbies items on eBay.com Steve
Gary, Thanks for the welcome. Glad to see you get the reference to one of my favorite stories. I have the proverbial track around the Christmas tree and all over the living room floor. A big hit with the kids, not so much with the wife. Steve
Initial results OK, I received an entire bottle on the 24th just after I took apart the test track for Christmas day and it has taken me this long to get the time to set it up again. Last night I made a "before" video showing the 202 loco spinning it's wheels trying to get going up a hill from a full stop pulling 4 cars. After that I put the Bullfrog Snot on one of the drive axles and let it cure overnight. This morning I mad a video of the test run up the same section of track from a full stop. I still had a little wheel spin but nothing like before. If that was as good as I could get I'd be satisfied but I want no spin if possible so I decided to treat the other drive axle. I am now waiting for that application to cure. Like many others, I botched the first application. I let it set up a bit before removing. It came off easily with an x-acto knife while running the engine. I discovered that 2 drops was enough material but I needed to spread it out by using the knife as a trowel while the wheel was spinning. It was easy to control and I was left with a very thin even coat. My next task is to figure out how to get the videos posted. It looks like I am going to have to set up a youtube account and upload them there.
Final results Well, as far as I am concerned, this stuff works as advertised. After coating the second axle, I tested the 202 and ended up with pickup problems at various points on the track. I then proceeded to remove the coating on one of the wheels so I would have one pickup point on the drive truck. I now have an engine that pulls with no wheel spin and no pickup problems. The kids will have at it and I will be able to comment on durability in the next few weeks. I have a microscope that I will use to monitor the coating. I will also perform additional pull tests to find the new limit.
