Re: C&S Operating Practices

Posted by Mike Trent on Feb 03, 2015; 3:12am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-Operating-Practices-tp287p680.html

Hmmm. OK. One last shot.

I guess I'd have to say that, on reflection, while the experimentation, if that's what it was, is interesting to ponder, the fact that they were changed back indicates to me that the comments I have made at least twice about the frames having had to have been actually engineered to withstand the stress of the driving axle in the third position has merit. That they were all reverted back to the way they were built in the first place is a strong indicator. I had previously read somewhere about failures of early D&RG experimentation with respect to third axle conversions of older locomotives. The problem was that the old frames were unable to withstand the stress, and that the drivers tended to "walk" as the frame twisted. The cost and trouble of replacing the frames was not worth the return. Can't site the source, but it seems to be consistant with this discussion. Easier to simply say osmosis.

That's my last word on this. I do, however, appreciate your having shared this interesting info. Sorry if I appeared to have blown it off. As you say, we all make mistakes.