Frequently Asked Questions...
What is the best tire and model name?
When spring rolls around, I want to buy the "best" tire around. In terms of best, I mean the stickiest, best traction, best braking tire. This rules out all season tires. What do you think of tires like the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric, Continental ExtremeContact DW, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, Dunlop SP Maxx TT, etc?
Answer:
Best in terms of absolute grip will all be tires that are of questionable use if you are talking about driving them on the street... but that said, the absolute best would be the Hoosier A6. Bust even if considered for track use, this is probably too soft for sessions lasting more than a lap or two (maybe a good 10+ laps if you are in an extremely lightweight car). This would leave the Hoosier R6, Kuhmo V710, and the BFG R1 as the next best choices. The Hoosier is likely the best in terms of grip with the V710 being the easiest to drive (the Hoosier's do not work at as wide a slip angle as the Kuhmos); the BFG seems a good choice for heavier cars (personally though I find these to feel too vague... this improves once they are fully warm, but still not on par with the competition, though very close in terms of grip).
However the lack of tread patterns on these, as well as what is still a very soft compound make all of these poor choice for street use, even though they are street legal and are the "stickiest, best traction, best braking" tires. Overall, if you are planning to use an R-Compound tire on the street, the Toyo R1 is probably the only option... not on par in terms of grip with the previously mentioned tires, but it is suitable for driving in the kind of conditions found on public roads and has proven very good at working through the kinds of heat cycling you would get in street use. If it's to be used in only dry conditions, shaving it will eliminate tread squirm and give a definite increase in performance.
Moving down to actual street tires, there are currently three choices that can rank as being at the top: Dunlop Z1 Star Spec, Bridgestone RE-11, and the Kuhmo Ecsta XS. Performance will obviously vary depending on your exact suspension and setup, so what works best on one car may not on another - but under almost any circumstances these will be very close. In my experience the Kuhmo is the best in the dry, though it is the a rougher riding tire than the other two, and it's grip falls off sharply under other conditions. The Bridgestone seems to offer the best all around performance, although a little less than the Dunlop in the dry. The Dunlop gets the nod on price (the last set of these I purchased for my daily driver were half the price of the Bridgestones).
If you move down a notch from here you will get into some traditional safe choices (which may be where you are looking based on the tires you mentioned) like the Michelin PS2, Goodyear Eagle F1, Pirelli P-Zero, Yokohama AD07... are all good performance tires that work well on the street. Though aimed at dry performance they all work well in the wet. Wear will be substantially less than touring and passenger tires, but much greater than the earlier options I mentioned.
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A Look at the New Sticky Jumper Model/Skin
Model Train Maintenance - A Guide to Beautify Your N Scale Trains
Fed up with your kids using their grubby paws to play "crash and bash go the choo-choo!" with your prized model beauties? Want to ensure that your lovelies get the care and attention that they need and deserve? Here are some tips and tricks to ensure that your darling beauties stay in tip top condition. Sparing a couple of hours every year to tweak those rusted wheels to life will extend the life of your engine for years to come.
Getting a miniature delight that serves as both a collector's item as well as a toy for your viewing pleasure is great fun. Constant usage also means, however, that these tiny trains will need proper maintenance every once in a while. There are just as many options and precautions that go into making sure that your model electric train set does not kick the bucket too soon.
N scale trains, being the one of the smallest versions of your locomotive craze, require a lot of tender loving care. Most of the dirt that gets past your roving eyes while you subject the track with your cleaning ministrations has a tendency to gather on the locomotive's wheels. Give your train a wheel clean by using a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use either one of them to gently scrub the wheels, and presto! You will be left with a shiny set of wheels. Don't skimp out on this essential task! You don't want your treasure to screech itself into an early grave.
As time passes the parts in an N scale locomotive will start to die on you, and that is why it important for you to carry out proper gear maintenance. After you have had a good cry and can take it like a man, you need to disassemble the locomotive. To get a bird's eye view of the gear system, you need to remove the locomotive's chassis. Start checking for that nasty dirt and debris, and if it is present, clean it out.
Don't worry. Even though disassembling the gears can be a possibility, it is best to leave them alone as putting them back together again can be a major pain. Once the gears have gotten their coat of "shine", dab them with the tip of a toothpick covered in a small amount of a plastic-compatible lubricant. Go easy on the lubricant since applying too much will make the gear system look like a sticky a dust magnet.
You would want to lubricate the motor brushes in your loco as you lubricate the ears. These tiny carbon brushes are located between the motor terminal and the communicator which are responsible for providing an electrical connection between the two parts. They are liable to thin out since they go through a lot of stress caused by the friction produced during the operation. You will need to change them as they will not be able to provide the electric connection needed to live up to your impeccable standards.
About the Author
N scale trains are the most popular among model railroaders that don't have a lot of space to build a complex layout, and those who like to focus more on building an expansive scenic layout, and the train is just one element of it. Model Train Hobbyist carries a variety of trains and accessories in N scale.
Here are a list of other products on Academy Sports And Outdoor Activities, come check these out:
