[Thunder]

I have a green Lima DMU class 117, with a beautiful blue interior (yuk). the tires on this motor unit have stretched, and i would like to replace the grooved wheels for standard profile wheels, is this possible? if so where would i look for wheel replacements, any help appreciated.

 

[hoonsou]

Have a look at the Ultrascale website, if you're prepared to wait for a few months they're worth it.

 

[7113]

Additionally your local Fleischmann dealer may be able to give some assistance, (and you won't have to wait months) Hope this helps.

Regards

John

 

[Gary]

How well will the Lima DMU run without traction tyres?

It is a heavy unit and the coaches are not that free rolling. There is not too much weight on the drive area. You may find that wheels start slipping and the unit could be hopeless on any form of incline. Are you convinced that a conversion will improve performance?

What opinion do others have?

Happy modelling
Gary

 

[Thunder]

Many thanks for replys so far, will try both those avenues, with regards to loss of traction, it is quite possible that the wheels may slip, its not something i given a great deal of thought to, fortunately i have no gradients on my layouts, i'm not expecting to many adverse effects from having no traction tires, the existing tires keep falling off, they seem to stretch very easily, and become loose on the wheel.

 

[Graham Plowman]

QUOTE (Gary @ 13 Dec 2006, 02:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>How well will the Lima DMU run without traction tyres?

It is a heavy unit and the coaches are not that free rolling. There is not too much weight on the drive area. You may find that wheels start slipping and the unit could be hopeless on any form of incline. Are you convinced that a conversion will improve performance?

What opinion do others have?

Happy modelling
Gary

I fitted Ultrascale to my 117 power car and Gibsons to the trailers. It works fine although it probably wouldn't pull more than a 3 car unit and would struggle up hills through lack of grip, neither of which are issues on my layout.

Graham Plowman

 

[Peter_Harvey]

I know that Don Jones has fitted Ultrascale wheels with standard pick ups to his 3/6/12 car sets of 117's on the DMNS layout as far as I can remember he has added more weight to the units and in a 12 car set it runs with three motors one in each 3 car set and he is using standard Lima axcels for the rest of the set and they cruse around his 1/2mile big curcuit.
I think the key is more weight but not to much.

Pete

 

[double00]

I have several locomotives (diesels) fitted with tyres, and find these tyres are a tight fit. Seldom do the tyres require replacement other than when perished by long use.
I am probably wrong, but would guess that probably the wrong size tyres were fitted to the Lima 117.

 

[Graham Plowman]

QUOTE (double00 @ 14 Dec 2006, 04:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I have several locomotives (diesels) fitted with tyres, and find these tyres are a tight fit. Seldom do the tyres require replacement other than when perished by long use.
I am probably wrong, but would guess that probably the wrong size tyres were fitted to the Lima 117.

There is another benefit of fitting Ultrascale wheels to Lima locos, especially the BO BO configurations such as the DMU and HST.
The traction tyres, coupled with vibration from the motor, cause the models to wobble to such an extent that they are constantly loosing power on the pickup wheels on the motor bogie. This is observed with quick build-up of dirt in comparison to other models.
By fitting Ultrascale wheels, the wobble is removed and you get far better pickup as well as reliability and appearance.

Agree that added weight is a good idea.

Graham Plowman