Triang/Hornby R553 Caledonian 4-2-2 traction

[Walkingthedog]

If the loco doesn’t have traction tyres you can’t fit them without changing the wheels. I only asked in case the tyres were supposed to be there but were missing.

[footplate1947]

This is one model which would have been better with tender drive.But they would not have fitted a ringfield into it it would have needed a new neater motor.

[footplate1947]

I recently got a couple of these and the traction is terrible. Hauling two coaches on the flat is a struggle and gradient? Well forget it. Anyone any tips how to improve? I've tried weights but there's not a lot of space.

I have just found out more info, Aparantly the latest version of these was the LMS ex Calidonian built circa 2004 /5 around then. They did have traction tyres and pick ups on all wheels I believe as well and probably a new type motor. I have not got one to look at and check. I would say the best way to improove your locos would be to buy a pair of those. I donbt you will find two replacement chassis as the people who sell spares on ebay ask stupid somes of money for them.

[RAF96]

Download the service sheets for the various variants to see if any parts are interchangeable to make it a better model.

[footplate1947]

RAF far as I know the parts in the service sheets are like Hens teeth mate. I have only seen over the last 5 years old type wheels for these, The new type with grooves for traction tyres nowhere. I have looked at all the service sheets I always do and assume that that the chap asking the question has too. I am not trying to teach granny to suck eggs.

[hblmadt]

It maybe difficult to get a drive to fit with the tender as the tender is smaller than the lord of the isles which you could in theory use the county 4-4-0 tender drive with

[JohnW]

Would the Mainline Dean Goods tender be any use? It was low sided and had to have the coal heaped up pretty high to cover the motor.

[Viscount]

I think I'll need to accept just to run on level track unless/until I find a solution. As noted in previous posts, there was a later model using traction tyres and with pickups on the front bogie, but difficult to source and hard to see how I could convert mine.

[Mountain Goat]

Out of interest, how many coaches does it pull on level track?

[Viscount]

I'm pulling 2 but one has coach lighting pickups on the axles so has a bit more drag than otherwise.