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Nothing to add to what twhite & tomikawaTT said about drivers - they covered the ground pretty thoroughly. Just to expand a bit on the trucks. The leading trucks are for steering - they help guide the loco into a curve (see tomikawaTT's note on tracking). So the higher the speed, the more important the leading truck is. Switch engines typically have no lead truck, as they are operating at low speeds - typical switchers are 0-4-0, 0-6-0 & 0-8-0. Freight engines often have a 1-axle (2 wheel) leading truck, since they are operating at higher speeds, but not at the higher passenger train speeds . And passenger trains have 2-axle (4 wheel). Twhite gave a good list of typical wheel layouts for freight & passenger trains. And the trailing truck, as others have stated, supports the firebox. For a switch engine, a large firebox is not required, so no trailing truck. For locals and short-haul work, 1 axle is adequate. For heavy drag freights or sustained high speed passenger work, a heavier 2 axle truck is needed. Hope that helps put everything in perspective. James
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