BLI Class A valve gear discrepancies...

[Anonymous]

Any of you guys out there who owns a BLI Class A notice the unprototypical "crooks" made into the rods that connect to the eccentric cranks on the drivers? I was just in Roanoke and looked over the original 1218 and noticed there are no such bends in those rods! Why do you suppose they are there?? They don't look necessary to me. Have any of you tried to straighten these things out? They definately look kinda out-of-place on an otherwise detailed model! I wonder if they're still making them this way? I also read where the Class A was voted MR Reader's Choice Loco of the Year.
Mike Crafton

[Anonymous]

The bends & crooks you see are probably due to the fact that the model A from BLI and every other model locomotive are designed to operate on curves way sharper than the prototypes. They need more clearance between the siderod crankpins and the eccentric rods, crossheads & guides, etc to negotiate 18" and 22" curves. The real engines aren't capable of going as sharp as our models and are built very tight comparably.

This isn't a factor in MR giving the Model Of The Year award to this excellent engine. It deserved it.

I would highly recommend that you don't straighten out any bends or crooks on your engines valve gear.

Roger

[Anonymous]

This is a good example of the varying approaches to model railroading. I've spent a lot of time around Roanoke and I've seen the 1218. If I'd noticed it, I couldn't care less about the bends in the rods while others will lose sleep over this inacuracy.

If i were a "purist" I couldn't imagine where I would draw the line. The original 1218 didn't draw current from the rails to power an electric motor. This would probably drive me to distraction! (Or maybe not. I'd get over it.)

Glad I'm not a purist. I can sleep now. [:)]

A good observation, nonetheless.

Wayne