Old problem---- possible new solution

[bparrish]

So I might have come up with something here.


As you all know...  I run a lot of old small brass locos. None have a lot of weight and although my track work is pretty good.... pilot trucks are a real frustration when switching and operating.  They can run all day when no one else is around; but just put a bunch of operators on a session and gravity really ramps up towards the ties.


Most manufacturers simply put some weight out there and call it good.  A few, like Fujiama, actually put a down loading spring wire on some of their locos.  The problem is that we are pushing these things and they really don't want to go there so they are looking for some alternative and none of them are good.So I've been experimenting with a spring device that it essentially neutral side to side but will load the wheels down.  It does tend to pull back to center but it doesn't have much strength in that direction, only down.



Further, I made it adjustable from the rear as each locomotive will need to be individually set for best tension.The whole thing still needs to be cleaned up but....

What makes this work is the location of the pull wire on the pilot truck mounting.  Coming off the side near the center line of the mounting screw renders it neutral. 

The springs are from Cal Scale trolley poles. I've got a ton of them sitting around doing nothing so that was the starting point.


Another cool thing with this is that the wires look from the side like brake rigging.

In just pushing the frame through my more troublesome turnouts, it seems to want to stay on. But then again there is now crowd witnessing this.


If this works I have about five more locos that will need this.  The first one took about two hours and three different tries on the wire on the pilot for best shape.


Waddaya think ? ? ?see ya

Bob

[tct855]

Bob,
      You are definitely an engineer, that's for sure.  Very Interesting.  Thanx Thom...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krD4hdGvGHM 

[deemery]

I don't quite get it.  Can you add some arrows to explain how the forces work?  I'm presuming your wire doesn't push against the track.


dave

[bparrish]

OK Dave.........  Here ya go.

[GPdemayo]

Imaginative solution Bob.....let us know how it does when you have your buddies over for an operating session. 

[deemery]

OK Dave.........  Here ya go.

Thanks, that helps A Lot!  I'll be fascinated to know how it works (and the process by which you tune it.) 


But doesn't this presume a reasonable amount of weight in the boiler already?


dave

[bparrish]

Dave ....

Yes, there is weight in the boiler but no two locos weigh or track the same. 


Some aspects of this hobby just don't ministurize predictably. 


Thanx for looking in. 


See ya.

Bob

[bparrish]

The jury is in...........

I have logged about an hour on two locomotives equipped with this widget.

At various speeds, routes and directions.......... they stay on.

What makes it work ........... I think............ is that it all down and side to side neutral.

For the adjusting of the tension I wound it up only enough to make the pilot want to stay on.  I have a yard turnout that sometimes makes the wheel on the inside of the curve want to come up........ huge candidate for a derailment ! ! !    Not anymore.


It really didn't take too much.  Setting the  tension too high would at some point make the front drivers go light and lower traction.

Requires further testing but so far it is working really well.

see ya
Bob