Model Train Blog

Does it work on larger scales? Just watch this!

We've often been asked: "How does it work on large scales?" Well, here's a video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFRLkgxyENI This was done by a BULLFROG SNOT user, with no affiliation or assistance from us. That engine slips approaching the hill on a garden layout, and with BULLFROG SNOT just marches on up like it was no problem. Just proves our point, modern power is purty good, but it needs grip. BULLFROG SNOT means GRIP! When will the factories catch on??

More than trains ...

BULLFROG SNOT is the fix for many slippery situations! Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6atVGD9jpqc for a card dealing robot. While it's become the must have essential for model trains, the need for BULLFROG SNOT in many other applications is just beginning to be discovered. A whole new world awaits! VCR repairmen! Are you listening? What's that? There are NO VCR repairmen anymore? BULLFROG SNOT, the performance improvement you can install.

Flood of frogs shuts down major Greek highway

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Greek officials say a horde of frogs has forced the closure of a key northern highway for two hours. Thessaloniki traffic police chief Giorgos Thanoglou says "millions" of the amphibians covered the tarmac Wednesday near the town of Langadas, some 12 miles east of Thessaloniki. "There was a carpet of frogs," he said.

Authorities closed the highway after three car drivers skidded off the road trying to dodge the frogs. No human injuries were reported. Thanoglou said the amphibians probably left a nearby lake to mate.

That was genuine news. We had nothing to do with it. Zip. Nada. Greek frogs have slippery snot. Mojave frogs produce the magic BULLFROG SNOT.

Did you see the Walthers Flyer? "Prepare to be amazed" they said. Cool, huh?

Another product review

MODEL RAILROAD NEWS has printed a review of BULLFROG SNOT in their April 2010 issue. Weird Name, Great Product they say (thanks, we think so too). And another user has discovered just how tough the snot of Bullfrog is by sealing their lid shut. They even show a photo of the jar post-struggle. (We assume the channel-locs won out) Be careful, we warn everyone, but some just have to learn from experience. Thanks for the review! To all you doubters out there: Nah, nah, nah!

Worlds Greatest Hobby on tour

Hey all! See us in beautiful Long Beach at the World's Greatest Hobby On Tour show Feb 13-14. Lots of other train stuff vendors, layouts on display and more. Buy some BULLFROG SNOT, meet the BULLFROG hisself!

BULLFROG SNOT, when you are ready to get serious! Get a grip!

Break it loose

There have appeared a few chat threads discussing wheelspin and motor burnout. These nattering nabobs of negativism have the strongly held opinion that if the wheels can't spin you'll soon see smoke. And since they think BULLFROG SNOT won't allow the wheels to break loose, it should be shunned.

Well ..... they've not used BULLFROG SNOT have they? In most cases BULLFROG SNOT improves pulling power by 2X, often more. But there are limits to the miracles it will do. It will slip and allow wheelspin. Oh, yes it will. On cold days in the trainroom, we'll smack the throttle and do a 'burnout' to warm up the SNOT and make it grippy. When you have one car too many, you'll find the limit.

So go ahead and add weights. Have fun. Knock your self out. Be among the very last of the Luddites to discover BULLFROG SNOT. The rest of the world is passing you by. On a hill. With a long train.

The correct method

There remains that few of us that are having problems with BULLFROG SNOT. It is important for us to remind everyone that BULLFROG SNOT is a product AND a process. The method of installation took as much development as extracting the magic green goo.

When we hear 'it goes on in clumps' we know the user is rotating the wheels TOWARD the applicator. No, no, no! For smooth SNOT rotate AWAY. If this is difficult to comprehend, just look at the pictures.

And when we hear 'the SNOT is lumpy and makes the engine hop' we know that you did not let the wheels turn while it cures. Just long enough for it to change color is enough, but this is a critical stage, as it assures a nice round tire. No shortcuts!

And the rotation speed does not need to be fast, less than 1/4 throttle. Enough speed to get an even layer is all. Simple really.

It's an easy skill to acquire. When you're serious about model railroading and are ready to move on from toy trains, you're ready for BULLFROG SNOT!

Winter shipments

Ever see frogs in winter? When it's cold, they sleep. BULLFROG SNOT can be frozen in shipment. Once frozen, it's gone. There is no recovery, the magical DNA just quits. We pack domestic orders in multiple layers of bubble wrap surrounded by several inches of insulating fluffy froggie droppings, and a warning label on the box. It survives the trip well, unless it is left outside for long periods in sub-freezing conditions. International deliveries don't get as much protection, there is just no room in the box. So, if there is the possibility of freezing, you'd best get your BULLFROG SNOT from your favorite LHS. Keep it snuggled in your pocket. Once applied and properly cured, you'll have no problems. In fact, it will solve your problems and have you running long trains uphill.

At the train shows

Visit us at the GREAT TRAIN SHOWS 12/5-6 in Ontario, Ca, 12/12-13 in Del Mar - that's San Diego - and 1/2-3/10 at the Anaheim Congestion Center - Disneyland.

Tells us what you think! Buy some SNOT. We'll be there.

BULLFROG SNOT videos

Want to see videos of BULLFROG SNOT in action? Just go to Youtube.com and search for BULLFROG SNOT. Several we've done, and many done by others. Enjoy!

The 2-8-8-2 (now a 2-8-8-0 a'la Reading) is the original long suffering test sled for the development of BULLFROG SNOT. The stuff has been on this loco for over a year, and it still hauls 60+ car freights. Can do more, but the train stringlines the curves. And we like running that MP 4-4-0, earning it's keep on long mixed trains (the tender pick-up has been improved)

And yes, winter is upon us. BULLFROG SNOT is carefully shipped in multiple layers of insulating bubble wrap surrounded by several inches of fluffy froggie droppings. It survives transit in cold weather very well.

Application tips

Received this comment from Australia: "BFS is brilliant. My first attempt was not good - too many blobs causing a grinding noise when running. I found that thinning the BFS with water made application much easier and uniform." Several users have used thinned (with water) BULLFROG SNOT with success. We've not seen the need for this, but since the water will evaporate along with the natural out-gassing process of curing, I suppose we'd see no reason why thinning BULLFROG SNOT would change anything. You still wind up with a grippy tire, just where you want it. And your loco's performance will be greatly enhanced. Be ready to grin!

On another note, we've seen comments about using BULLFROG SNOT to improve the performance of 1:1 scale SEPTA streetcars. Ah ..... we think that's a bit of a reach, even for BULLFROG SNOT!

Drag racing??

Here's a new one. The drag race test at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7etTn33oyM As we'd expect, the BULLFROG SNOT'd loco wins! Once installed, and with a little scuffing from use, BULLFROG SNOT is virtually invisible. So sandbag your pals into betting on loco drag racing and pick up a few easy bucks. Watch closely and it appears the BULLFROG SNOT'd loco corners better too.

Several Youtube videos of BULLFROG SNOT have popped up. Without BULLFROG SNOT you're just spinning your wheels. Have you tried it? Once you do, you won't run without it.

And from Italy

31 Agosto 2009 - Forse abbiamo scoperto l'acqua calda ma...
Abbiamo trovato il modo di evitare l'inutile dispendio di tempo necessario a montare gli anelli di aderenza alle ruote delle loco per affrontare lunghi traini, magari pure in salita (sappiamo tutti quanto alle volte si realizzino dei plastici con salite che nella realtà sarebbero di più del 14% !)

BullFrog Snot è una pasta verde che va applicata con uno stuzzichino alle ruote di trazione delle loco e ,dopo circa 10 minuti, questa pasta asciutta autolivellante, forma un anello verde che funzionerà esattamente come se aveste messo l'anello di aderenza in gomma; ovviamente ci va un pò di sale in zucca e omogeneità nella stesura, ma nulla di cosi certosino .. il problema stà nel fatto che pare non sia importata in italia ma facilmente reperibile qua: www.BullFrogSnot.com;
Forse lo sapevate già ed abbiamo (noi di TopRail) scoperto l'acqua calda, ma nel dubbio abbiamo preferito dirvelo...
http://www.toprail.it/

Anthracite breaker

There is an empty corner on my layout, it’s been there for years and I’ve never been happy with the scenery. So, I found a great looking building for the site, and it fits my anthracite area scheme. It’s the Lackawanna Coal Mine from N-Scale Architect. It accurately represents a coal breaker, one of many of these industrial high-rises that operated from the beginning of the last century into the 50’s. Some may still stand, but most were razed. The kit is a bit intimidating when the box is first opened, several layers of laser cut micro plywood, multiple pages of assembly instructions, windows, walls, chutes, etc. Reference pictures were located from my library, and I selected the look of one breaker that appears in a color photo in a LNE book, in a light gray color. Tackling this kit turned out to be a pleasure, the numerous windows look great, the small parts are adhesive backed, and when it goes together, there are lots of attention getting rooflines, corners, overhangs. It becomes an impressive structure, even without all the out buildings. On my layout, it will sit at about eye-level, and in a corner, so a lot of this fine detail will not be visible. And even worse, it’s too big for the site. And I ran out of gray paint. No problem, I thought, it should be available. The paint had a price tag stuck over the label, removing the tag ruined the label. Hmmm. Off to the LHS. No matching paint. On to the alternative LHS, no paint either, but they’ll order some. OK. A few days later it arrives, but it’s not a match either. Arrgh. OK, I’ll just rip put the scenery and make room. Stay tuned.

This has not much to do with BULLFROG SNOT does it?

Today's Locos

Why won’t new locos pull as well as the ‘old days’? Maybe a few reasons – first the manufacturers had to ‘get the lead out’. Lead is deadly dangerous you know, gosh the CSPIA (our government protecting you) mandates even trace amounts be removed from children’s books, clothing, and playthings. Less lead of course means less weight. Weight helps traction. Second, the wheels have different plating and blackeners. Looks nice, but slippery. We remove it with emery paper before applications of BULLFROG SNOT. Third, the rubber o-ring traction tires were so universally cursed that the factories ceased including them. So we have really nice looking engines, and a wide variety too. With sound, DCC, and they have strong motors, smooth running gear, and are filled with as much weight as lead-less ‘pot metal’ will allow. Try to add additional weight, go ahead, try! Sneak in the ‘ol tungsten putty. There just isn’t much space. But BULLFROG SNOT, now that kicks butt! It adds just the right amount of friction coefficient to make things really work. Yes, it will slip when overloaded, so you won’t fry your DCC. And nothing is easier than BULLFROG SNOT. Well then, why don’t engines come from the factories with BULLFROG SNOT? Hmmmm? Give it time ……

BULLFROG SNOT press

More tests make the press! I just received my copy of July/August O Scale Trains, and one of their impartial product reviewers put BULLFROG SNOT to the test on the King of Scales. He tried to do a life test, but quit after 100 laps of heavy duty pulling. Conclusion: He liked it! See the full-page report, which we’ll soon have linked to our website.

And N-Scale Magazine ran a three-page article this month about BULLFROG SNOT (see the link). An instructive, excellently written and photographed piece. My complements to the author (that’d be me).

Local Layout Tours

Went on a local layout tour last weekend. It included one On3 layout, one N, and four HO layouts, all in my local area too! Every one of them significantly larger than my humble N empire, and all but two un-finished. Are layouts ever finished? I was certainly inspired to tackle some long lingering projects, both scenic and rolling stock. And I offered my train room for inclusion in a future tour. So, if you are in the So Cal area, stop by and visit the birthplace of BULLFROG SNOT.

We gave samples of BULLFROG SNOT to the host/owners as a thank you for their hospitality. Most had heard of us, some not. The latest group to "discover" BULLFROG SNOT is the Z scalers. We welcome Zscale Monster Trains to our growing list of dealers, visit them at http://www.zscalemonster.com/bullfrog_snot/

How long does it last?

How long does BULLFROG SNOT remain functional in operations is a good question. I don't really know, as I've been running the pre-production batch of brew on my layout since last October. And it still pulls like an Ox. I have replaced a few tires, but mostly just for drill not because it was necessary. I don't know when it wears out, as I haven't found that point yet.

Any comments out there? A lot of BULLFROG SNOT is now doing it's job on many model empires, but we have received zero reports about when it quits. There were a lot of doubters when it was first released, but to date no complaints from actual users.

I did hear of a few that have managed to seal their jar of BULLFROG SNOT shut. Hey, be careful with this stuff and keep it off the threads, it really grips.

News from the real world of frogs ...

A FROG that constantly changes color is being worshipped as a GOD in India.

Hundreds of curious followers flock to Reji Kumar’s home every day to pray and ask for miracles. Now one of the country’s top zoologists plans to study the rainbow frog. But Reji, 35, who keeps the creature in a glass bottle after finding it while out watering plants, is afraid it might CROAK first. He said: "My one problem is that this frog does not appear to eat. I keep trying to feed it but it doesn’t eat anything. I don’t know what else to give it."

The frog was a dazzling WHITE colour when Reji, from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, first spotted it. Then it changed to YELLOW and had gone GREY by the time he got it home. Lift worker Reji added: "By night the frog was dark yellow, and then it became transparent so you could see its internal organs.

"It seemed like a miracle to me that this frog had so many different coats. So now people come to see him and pray to him."

Professor Oommen V. Oommen from India’s Kerala University, said it was not uncommon for animals to change color. He explained: "Frogs do change color to scare away predators. "But from what I have heard, the frog at Kumar’s place changes color so frequently it is a bit unusual. It’s an omen. I will collect it for study and then eat it."

We found this link on the Drudge Report site, and have no information regarding the quality of it’s snot.

A tuning oops

Recently we were tweaking our Con-Cor 2-10-2. It has become our favorite freighter, easily pulling as well as our 2-8-8-0. But, it would still stall at the strangest places. The tender is set up for a DCC install, complete with the speaker hole, but I'm not a DCC guy (too much of the 'old' stuff and a layout block wired). I suspected the wipers from the circuit board to the tender truck may be intermittent, so I hard wired them together.

I also determined to replace the BULLFROG SNOT. No reason other than it had been there performing well in almost daily use for over six months. Powered the beast, gave it some speed, and went at the driver 'tires' with an Xacto knife. Old BULLFROG SNOT can still bite, more than expected. It grabbed that blade and 'de-quartered' the driver. Thus binding the valve gear and all the related problems.

The 2-10-2 was pulled apart, the driver re-quartered and all the bearing blocks, gears and valve gear re-installed. Having five axles made the challenge that much more. But so far successful.

So, take care and have patience when working with BULLFROG SNOT. The reward is worth it.

Fine tuning

I have a MP 4-4-0, modified with better tender pick-up. With BULLFROG SNOT on all four drive wheels, it pulls great. 25 cars on the flat and 8 to 10 cars up hill. It looks great with mixed trains, shorty Bachmann passenger cars, OB wooden boxcars riding on archbar trucks, and a four wheel bobber caboose.

Trouble is, it would still stall while passing over a Shinohara 3 way turnout (my layout is all Shinohara), the track spacing on the frogs was just too much, and situated such that the little teakettle would stop.

The 4-4-0 went back to the test stand, and I trimmed the BULLFROG SNOT off the driver flanges, leaving a traction tire to contact the rail tops. This cured the stalling issue. Remarkably easy too.

So, before you think you've overdone the BULLFROG SNOT, try the simple tuning trick of clearing the flanges. You'll be pleased with the result.

Another use for BULLFROG SNOT, as a DCC Insulator!

Reported on an N-Scale chat thread:

"I found another use for Bullfrog Snot ... While installing a wired decoder, I bent the leads on a resistor for the front headlight with heat shrink on it and it exposed a little of the lead on the resistor. Not good... just as a percaution, I wanted to insulate it. Decoders don't like shorts... Then had a idea. Bullfrog Snot. I have put it on 4 drivers (2 axles) of a 2-6-6-2 ... ran and pulled great. So I put a drop on each lead, then let dry. And it work(ed) great. Hum? Now I feel better. So if anybody has Bullfrog Snot, it can come in handy for a insulator. In my case it worked. It might just work like liquid electrical tape in "some" cases.
A plastic insulator. Good stuff."

So there you have it. The insulating properties put to good use!

SNOT = SAND

There have been more than a few comments about the very name of BULLFROG SNOT. Ugh! Gross! Revolting! Or “I prefer lark’s vomit”. Or worse (you can imagine). Of course it’s not really mucus from a bullfrog captured on the Mojave Desert, don’t be silly. If you still have issues, just think of it as sand. Yep, sand. We have great sound effects, super computerized controls, even smells and smoke. But you don’t have sand, that very essential stuff stored in those bumps on the tops of steam engines otherwise known as ‘domes’. Sand makes for better grip for steel wheels on steel rails. I recall watching a Reading RS-3 attempting to lift a train out of the Lansdale yard, spinning, sanding, burning a patch on the rail. Remember the greased rail scene from ‘Emperor of the North Pole’? So, with BULLFROG SNOT, you have sand. Grip when you need it. Starting a train, climbing a grade, or working a long cut in the yard.
BULLFROG SNOT, the missing essential element. It will change the way you run your trains.

MMR tested!

BULLFROG SNOT is gaining fans. We expected doubters when we first launched the product. It won’t last, it won’t work, it’s BS (ha ha) , we don’t need it. Well, all the complainers have been proven WRONG, including those that said they tested BULLFROG SNOT without positive results (But then, some can’t handle glue or paint either). There was recently posted a test by an MMR, that’s Master Model Railroader, the highest credentials in our hobby, on the Model Railroader site and in the Wig-Wag, the mid-continent NMRA newsletter (reprinted on our site). More and more LHS’s are offering BULLFROG SNOT as well. If they don’t have it, tell them to visit the dealer section of the site and get things going. BULLFROG SNOT is being used in Australia, the UK, Portugal, Sweden, Israel, Italy, Japan, Germany, Hungary, South Africa, and even Michigan!

Dealer support

Many leading hobby shops now stock BULLFROG SNOT, and many on-line retailers too. So support your favorite source, and if they don’t yet carry BULLFROG SNOT let them know that there is a special section of our web site just for retailers. They first must register and be approved – a very easy process, then they can get their BULLFROG SNOT. As much as they want, since the spring desert wildflower blooms cause the source sinuses to become hyperactive. It only happens in the spring before the temps in the Mojave become too high and dry things out. If your LHS does not offer BULLFROG SNOT, they’re not keeping up with the significant innovation of our time. Yeah.

Product reviews

Discussion of BULLFROG SNOT continues. Here’s another forum thread that has recently ‘discovered’ BULLFROG SNOT, complete with the usual array of skeptics and doubters: http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/150266.aspx?PageIndex=1 This thread includes some interesting chatter on DCC burn-outs. Gosh, you don't have to run your engines to death, and if you do it's not the fault of BULLFROG SNOT.

For all of you readers of MODEL RAILROADER, take a look at the product review in the May '09 issue, heres the link: http://www.trains.com:80/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=3105 That should answer all those who question BULLFROG SNOT, and confirm what many users already know. This stuff works!

The Great Train Expo

We'll be at the Great Train Expo in Costa Mesa, Cal Sat & Sun March 21-22.

Look for the table with the BULLFROG SNOT signs, stop by and say hello.

Check out all the great layouts - most of them already use BULLFROG SNOT

No April Fool joke

We now have our first ad running in Model Railroader. Since it is the April issue (it’s mid-March now), we have seen some chat threads assuming it was an MR April Fools joke. Well, ha ha to you too! There will be more ads running soon, and product reviews by the industry pros. BULLFROG SNOT is no joke, although there are many who seem to think so. There are unbelievers in the USA, the UK, Australia. And those who continue to think we need more weight. Hey, if the big boys use sand for traction why can’t we? Oh, yeah we can’t get scale sand, eh? That’s why we have BULLFROG SNOT! It works on N, HO, O, Monorails, turntables, even subways (no, not the sandwiches).

Doing it the hard way

There is a recent chat thread by a fellow who wanted improved performance from his N-Scale Berkshire. He says he did try BULLFROG SNOT, and unlike so many others, he did not realize the traction he’d been expecting. Hmmmm …? So he resorts to using a Dremel tool with a cut-off wheel to carve a groove in driver on the live loco. I congratulate him for his cojones. After all was done he reported success with his newly applied rubber band traction tire, and he reports that traction, not additional weight is really what was needed. He even removed the additional weights he added previously. Grip is what we need, scale sand. Now we all know how to take a grinder to our Berkshires in search of improvement.

And in a magazine article we can read detailed instructions to add rubberband traction tires to the MP 4-4-0 and Pacific. First you need to buy the driver sets, in this case they were available, for other locos, good luck. Then you dive in and pry off the factory wheels, pop out the pins for the rods, bang them off the axels. Then reassemble with proper quartering, and voila! You have an engine that will pull better but still stalls mysteriously. Again, it’s grip, not additional weight that does the job.

OK, lets look at this. The cost of traction driver sets is about $8.00 +shipping (four of these and you’ve reached the price for 100’s of BULLFROG SNOT tires), then add to that the risk of prying apart your engines. Or worse, the damage possible by doing radical surgery on a live engine. (I tried to blind a driver set this way, and it resulted in an expensive ‘scenery’ engine). And suppose we all try this and we don’t like the results? You’re screwed.

BULLFROG SNOT gives you a grippy tire, as all but a select few users now know. N scale, HO scale, O scale, Monorails, turntable wheels, it works! Economical and very cost effective per application. Applies without surgery, at no risk to your precious investments. And if you don’t like it, just remove it. There is no permanent alteration to your engine.

No need to add more weight. No need to search for the right size of rubber o-rings, which rot and wobble anyhow (If the factories can’t get them right, all us amateurs will have success?). No risk. And it applies soooooo easy.

BULLFROG SNOT!! It will change the way you run your trains.

International Shipping rates reduced

We’ve shipped BULLFROG SNOT to Canada, Germany, Denmark, the UK, and Australia. We use the Post Office’s priority mail, and International Priority Mail was $18 to Canada and as much as $26 to Australia. Ouch! Recently the Post Office has introduced the ‘small flat rate box’ which allows up to four pounds to be shipped international for a stated cost of $12.95. Four pounds is a heck of a lot of BULLFROG SNOT, more than a dozen jars. So, if you were holding off on trying BULLFROG SNOT because of the shipping costs you have nothing more to fear. Combine several orders and save big. BULLFROG SNOT will change the way you run your trains. And we changed the way we ship BULLFROG SNOT too.

Maybe a test is appropriate

In a recent issue of a famous RR hobby magazine there appears a test of a new locomotive. They were quite kind in their analysis, and seemed to like the little engine very much. But as we read the test results, the charts and graphs tell the story that this critter can only pull at about 40% of the ‘average’ N locomotive. We have written to the magazine, and suggested their hobby pros apply some BULLFROG SNOT, and give it another go. We’ve even sent a sample of BULLFROG SNOT to assist their testing. We look forward to viewing the published results. The results of testing by garden-variety model hobbyists are stated on our website. They seem to think BULLFROG SNOT is great stuff; the rest of the world is just getting to realize it.

Demo this!

We recently read a thread about a LHS demo that went bad because of the factory traction tires coming off. They seem to be very sensitive little critters, these factory TTs. Don’t put them on the track the wrong way. Better use a dab of super glue. Geez, what a pain. We do need traction tires to get optimum prototypical performance. From our tests, adding weight is good only to a point. More weight equals better traction, but also means more for the engine to have to haul around. And most modern locos have darn little space to put more weight in. Particularly so when material is milled away to add DCC encoders. We have learned that a certain wheels will have a better contact patch than others, just due to suspension differences and torque effects. This can be improved by shimming the bearing blocks on steamers, but on diesel trucks some testing and experimentation is required. Once that point is determined, that is the best place for the traction tire. And the easiest way to get a traction tire where you want it is with BULLFROG SNOT. Easy, reliable – a BULLFROG SNOT traction tire does not come off – quick, and very cost effective. BULLFROG SNOT will change the way you run your trains. Imagine, our modified (shimmed bearing blocks, with BULLFROG SNOT, bashed to be a Reading I-10) Spectrum 2-8-0 waddles around the layout pulling 50 empty hoppers and a bobber caboose all by itself. It’s amazing.

Which wheels to use?

When creating and experimenting with BULLFROG SNOT, we noted that different locos react with various results to applications. There are ‘suspension’ variables that mean certain wheels will get more ‘bite’ that others. There are also torque effects that were previously not a concern to us that will cause one axle to have more traction. And it can be direction dependent.

We’ve applied BULLFROG SNOT to a loco and had very little improvement, but when moved to another axle on the same loco we witnessed dramatic increases in pulling ability. From our experience, applications to more than one axle per engine reduced electrical contact. While one axle per engine did not have harmful effect on pickup and provided adequate traction. Diesels seem to like the rear set of driving wheels SNOT’d.

Exceptions abound. Steamers with good tender pick-up can use multiple traction tires. Our 2-10-2 has BULLFROG SNOT on three of the five axles. Our Spectrum 2-8-0 and 4-8-2 have BULLFROG SNOT on two of the four, and our MP 4-4-0 uses BULLFROG SNOT on all drivers (We do use a modified tender for more reliable juice). For the 2-6-6-2 and 2-8-8-2 engines, we applied BULLFROG SNOT to the crank mains with excellent results.

So the word is EXPERIMENT! BULLFROG SNOT is easily applied, and easily removed, with no permanent changes to your locos. We know it works great for N, and have reports that HO and O scalers are liking their results as well.

Using BULLFROG SNOT?

BULLFROG SNOT creates a nice sticky, durable, plastic traction tire. Many users have tried it, and it works. They love the stuff. It provides an amazing traction improvement at a very economical cost of mere pennies per application. BULLFROG SNOT cannot be easier to use, it is almost foolproof.

But there will always be those who will complain about anything. It’s too expensive! It’s snake-oil! It’s a scam! It will only last a few days! It’s not needed! I can do better with my own glue and tape! It’s got to be too thick! It will cause wobbles! (All baloney in our opinion)

Many of these complainers are vociferous on the chat boards, but don’t actually have a working layout, haven’t tried BULLFROG SNOT, and are too cranky and cheap to try anything new.

And there are those that can’t seem to install BULLFROG SNOT without a crisis. But then, some people can’t handle glue, paint, and decals either. Some want to alter the unique properties of BULLFROG SNOT by attempting to thin it, or they invent new and ‘better’ methods for installation.

So, yes, there are reports out there of negligible performance improvements when using BULLFROG SNOT. How can we account for a few disappointments among so many that applaud the coming of BULLFROG SNOT? Good question. Why is that?

A desert mystery

Somewhat off the subject of BULLFROG SNOT traction tires for model railroads is a mystery on the desert of southern California known as the "Desert Megaphone"

See http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3469672

What is it and how and why did it get there?

The Megaphone sits atop of a rocky hill near a small pass where once ran the Tonopah & Tidewater RR, south of it’s UP connection at Crucero. The T&T got started late, and the boom was over before it was completed, never reaching either Tonopah or Tidewater. The route from the Santa Fe connection (the Tidewater part) at Ludlow to Crucero ceased operation in October of ’33, and the tracks were removed for the war effort in ’43. This would represent the last time heavy equipment would have been in the area, except for the daylighting of the tunnel in Afton Canyon in May of ’57.

It’s heavy steel, welded together. It makes no apparent sounds and points to nothing in particular. It has the look of 30’s or 40’s ‘Buck Rodgers’ spaceships, and is anchored firmly in the rocks. Someone when to a lot of effort to put it there, but no body seems to know it’s history. It could be from the crew tearing up the tracks in ’43, but they don’t seem like they’d be the type to do this.

So it’s a mystery. Have any ideas?

Shorttrack RR

We were invited to visit the Shorttrack RR club in Vista, Ca www.shorttrackrr.org. The club has a facility on the grounds of a museum with a large collection of steam tractors, farm tractors and industrial equipment.

Shorttrack has two layouts. One is made up of N-Trak modules which they would display at various shows. And the other is an under-construction of SP’s Donner Pass. And that is going to be one impressive layout when it is finished. The trackwork alone is spectacular, I was in awe of the handlaid switches, each controlled by DCC’d Tortoise machines. Large yards, beautiful Sierra scenery, and an Nn3 section. Wow!

We did a few BULLFROG SNOT traction tires installs, demo’d some SNOT’d steamers on the modular layout with the B-Mann lt. Mountain hauling 35 cars easily.

And they offered a lunch of grilled hot dogs. A very friendly group. I’d recommend following their web site for open house dates. The layout and museum are well worth the travel time to visit.

Much thanks to Pete and the Shorttrack RR crew!

Eat the frog?

Business/Career advice: Eat the frog ……. ?

"Mark Twain said if you eat a frog first thing in the morning that will probably be the worst thing you do all day. So, start your day by tackling an important task, especially if it is a task you aren't crazy about."

We do not recommend eating any BULLFROG SNOT – although it is non-toxic. BULLFROG SNOT is for traction tires, not sandwiches. It makes great traction tires. It also makes a good shaft coupling helper. Say what? Yep, we deal with shiny metal shafts stuck into plastic or flexible tubes as drivelines for locomotives and switch machines. Instead of Loctite or ACC, try a dab of BULLFROG SNOT. It will grab, yet remain flexible enough for future disassembly and maintenance.

BULLFROG SNOT universal, easy, liquid, traction tires. Don’t eat it.

Get more from the Model Power 4-4-0

I applied BULLFROG SNOT to the Model Power American 4-4-0, to both driver sets. SNOT transformed into a great little puller, now hauling 10 car mixed trains up hill. This is a good looking and strong engine, with a major weakness. The tender pick-up design is many years out of date. It has wheel wipers like those on the early Atlas steamers, with one conducting wheel and one insulated. As a result, it would frequently stall over dips in the track, switch frogs, and other mysterious random spots. Tapping the tender generally got it going.

This was frustrating, since BULLFROG SNOT gave it great traction, but it remained unreliable for regular use. I tried soldering wires to the wipers, leveling the trucks, releasing the tender drawbar tension. Still had the stalls.

I had B-Mann canteen, the Norfolk & Western prototype, that had a working light. Why just a light? It has nice 3 axle side wiper trucks. These were removed an replaced by an easy rolling set of Micro-Trains passenger trucks. The six-wheeled trucks were migrated under the tender of the B-Mann 2-6-6-2, except that the conducting tab bumps weren’t quite a match and resulted in the same stalls. This was remedied by soldering wires to the tabs and hard-wiring the trucks to the tender conductor strips. If you try this, remember to disassemble the trucks and remove the metal tabs for soldering.

The 2-6-6-2 now has 6 wheel tender trucks. Combined with the tender doghouse, it looks like something a low budget shop, like my all steam fictional road name "SHORTBUCK" would do with their small fleet of hand-me-down steamers, as they are able to collect cast-offs from the anthracite roads due to diesel conversions.

Pondering another conversion for the 4-4-0, I purchased Mikado tender trucks from Kato parts. But now I had a set of B-Mann side conducting trucks which seemed better suited to the 4-4-0. I hated to remove the MP arch bar tender trucks since SHORTBUCK’s limited freight car roster has all arch bars. No interchange traffic for these clunkers.

Wire leads were soldered to the tabs, and holes cut in the tender floor. The leads were soldered to the proper connections, and a test run was made. Perfect. No stalls, no stutters, just smooth running lap after lap. Mixed trains are running again behind the 4-4-0.

It’s a bit of effort, but worth it for all of you that want more from the MP 4-4-0, and don’t forget the BULLFROG SNOT for your traction tires.

Questions and/or comments?

Do you have any questions for the BULLFROG?

We try to track, follow, and respond to posts and threads on the various forums. But a few have banned us for 'advertising'. True, we don't try to hide who we are and are very proud of our product.

Their rules be their rules, so you won't find us on those. You can always come direct to the source.

BULLFROG SNOT universal, liquid plastic, easy, traction tires.

More user comments

Well as I gotta say is, BULLFROG SNOT is "UNREAL" !
I used one of my Lifelike Berkshires as the test engine.
I have a set of eight heavyweight passenger cars on the layout. I have quite a lot of Lifelike Berkshires so I took several and all spun their drivers and couldn't budge the cars.
My test steamer I put the Bullrog Snot on the back set of drivers and let it dry overnight. Took it downstairs this morning and hooked it to the same eight heavyweight passenger cars. At first when I started it, it started pulling all the cars with just a touch of wheel slip. Within just less than a minute this engine pulled those cars with no effort, could have added more. No more driver slippage just great pulling power.
Before applying the BullFrog Snot I ran the drivers and used a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and made sure the driver surface was clean. When this BullFrog Snot drys theres no way for it to come off as it sticks to the metal surface like nothing i've ever seen.
Now to do all my other Lifelike Birkshires, Lifelike Y3s, Bachmann 2-6-6-2 Class H5s and many others.
One thing that I did other than the instructons said was while I had my transformer turned on 3/4 speed while the steamer was upside down in a foam cradle with drivers turning, I applyed a decent sized drop of BullFrog Snot to the end of a round pointed toothpick and while touching the driver face I used the sharp tip of the toothpick and lightly moved it back & forth applying a very even coat. Then turned the transformer on full throttle for about a minute then set the engine on the table untill dry.
Have one of my Bachmann H5s now drying to test pull with it. On all articulateds i'm applying BullFrog Snot to each set of back drivers.
This is something that everybody needs to have.
As far as the price, with what it does i'm glad I got it. Theres more than enough in the jar to do 100s of engines, and then some !
The "REAL" answer to all those non-pulling steamers as well as diesels.
Just a side note, make sure the edge of the bottle and inside the lid are clean before putting the lid on as this stuff sticks like glue.
Ernie

The legend of BULLFROG SNOT?

The following was written by someone with too much idle time, and not affiliated with BULLFROG SNOT ..........
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In some folks opinion It may have been created in lab somewhere. But in my opinion, and as some folks believe, it was created as a specialized concoction from the sweat off a Bullfrog's, hum, lets just say his special appendages.

I believe it came from the fluids found on a planet called Galentous. For those of you who are truly seekers of the truth, Here it is. My fictional account of How I believe it all began.........

A LONG LONG TIME AGO IN A FAR AWAY GALAXY CALLED
FIAGALANTOS
----------------------------------------------------
Most species in the galaxy are male or female. However, some species, such as the Huttoos, could adopt the sexual characteristics of either gender, and were classified as HERMANSHUMITS. Other variable species, like the MYDING'ALINGS, changed gender periodically based on hormonal cycles.

Some alien races like the
INSECTCELEBERTOIDES had over 180 different sexes, presumably due to variations in compatible genitalia. Finally, some species, like the FILORFROGA, were asexual, with individuals being able to reproduce (could this be the ultimate self love?) on their own. The Fneasimians race also had a previously undocumented gender called Thrum who beat their own drum on a variable pitch basis. What exactly being a Thrum meant is still unknown.

The Fneasimians (singular, Fneasimian) were the species native to planet Galentous and adapted to the environment by building water-proof buildings made of the rich sticky liquids found on the planet. A peaceful species, the Fneasimians communicated through expressive hand and arm gestures, and referred to the Milky Way Cluster as "The Multitude."

During the Black Yevethia Crisis, the Fneasimians were threatened. But defended by the Old/New Republican Defense Force. After the crisis, the Fneasimians joined the Old/New Republican Defense Force.

During the Yuazdemocratic Vong War, The Leading Chief of State, Bosamask Feylia ignored the pleas of the defenseless Fneasimians.

Hopeless, the Fneasimians left the Old/New Republic Defense Force. And struck a deal with the Yuazdemocratic Peace Brigade in the hopes of avoiding the invaders' wrath.

They allowed the Brigade to mine the rich Liquid resources from Galentous and voluntarily disabled the Old/New Republic Defence Force communication network.

And in exchange the Yuazdemocratic Brigade utterly destroyed the Old/New Republic Defense Force. Then turned their interest to the various other species of Galentous. This betrayal of communications allowed the Fneasimians to avoid quick death at the hands of the Yuazdemocratic Peace Brigade. And instead they suffered a very slow and painful political end.

McBabeaCain and JoSerabath KmPailenox were two famous Fneasimians.

Galentous was the second planet in the MeRepUnot system on the WidekntDC Bypass, near the Koome Cluster. Its first contact with the galactic community was quite ancient, as at least one Fneasimians. was said to be Jedi , forty years before the First Great Yuazdemocratic Schism.

The planet's surface was covered in smooth, pale green gelatinous bodies with continental islands. During large storms, the surface of Galentous would roll and shift. Because Galentous' crust was severed into drifting tectonic plates, the islands were wracked with regular seismic vibrations known as BullgelFrogquakes. Like many other planets in the Farleftlax Sector, Galentous became rich with Insectcelebertoides deposits.

The gelatin was an organic substance which provided life-giving nutrients to all Yuazdemocratic life on the planet, including the indigenous sentient Fneasimians who became addicted to it.

And on the streets of all cities and towns it was known as "Bullfrog Snot."

Every four years the planet Galentous was also in the throws of a planet wide cycle which includes being directly struck or hit glancing blows from Polpotrocks That circle the universe on its courses. PolPotrocks that are direct hits are simply absorbed in the green gelatinous mass and do no damage. But do reappear on a four cycle.

The near misses dip into the green gelatinous mass scoop up a load of "Bullfrog Snot" and continue on it's circuit through the universe.

To protect their cities, the Fneasimians built reinforced structures and developed a transportation system built on balloons to avoid BullgelFrogquakes. sensitive roads. And Despite their ingenuity, the Fneasimians were so addicted to Bullfrog Snot they preferred the gelatin and only took to the landmasses to interact with outsiders.

Several of these PolPotrocks are known to have impacted the third rock, in a nine or 10 rock solar system. from a Sun in the Milky Way galaxy. The third Rock from the Sun was not protected and the Meteorites (as they are known) that hit this planet Earth over the eons have left tons and tons Insectcelebertoides deposits on the planet Earth.

The Earth’s American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) an aquatic frog and a member of the family Ranidae, or "true frogs", native to much of North America. This is a frog of larger, permanent water bodies, swamps, ponds, lakes, where it is usually found along the water's edge. On warm rainy nights, bullfrogs along with many other amphibians, go overland and may be seen in numbers on country roads.

Bullfrogs have been widely adapted to organic substance, Insectcelebertoides, "BULLFROG SNOT" and it's smooth, pale green, almost white gelatinous fluid can be found on any and all American Bullfrogs.

In some folks opinion there is no need to pay a high price for "Bullfrog Snot." Instead you can go to your local water source on a warm rainy night, catch a bullfrog or two and scrape the fluid from his snout into a jar and you have your very own Bullfrog Snot. You can let the Bullfrog go or take him home and have frogs legs for dinner.

So in conclusion, and in my opinion, Bullfrogs Snot, or it's true name, "Insectcelebertoides" came to us from the heavens and a long forgotten planet named Galentous.

See ya
Ron