I went and saw a USRA Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive on display in Jacksonville today. I was able to get a really good look at the trailing truck that supports the firebox on the locomotive.
.
It looks to me like the truck is completely rigid, I.E. it will not swivel from side to side like it does on our model locomotives.
Is this in fact true? It makes sense that it would be rigid because of the way the leaf springs were supported. Now that I look at the suspension on a model locomotive, it does not look right.
Was the trailing truck in fact rigidly held in line with the drivers?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 Was the trailing truck in fact rigidly held in line with the drivers?
No.
I believe they came with the Cole trailing truck. There were sliding pads over the journal boxes to allow movement of the wheel assembly and frame while still transmitting the load.
This would mean that the spring assembly would stay in line with the frame (and drivers), while the truck frame could turn. Our models tend to have the spring assembly cast onto the truck. So, on a model, the non-moving spring assembly DOES move with the truck.
Most people don't know or care.
By the way, there is/was also an equalizing linkage that connected the trailing truck axle with all the other drive axles. You should be able to see that, also.
Ed
SeeYou190Was the trailing truck in fact rigidly held in line with the drivers? .