Jason
Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale
I've not seen many class I photos with blind drivered locos. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen.
I would imagine that the mainstay of the blind-drivered locos belonged to shortlines, or maybe smaller roads that couldn't fir in the broad curves that the larger class 1's could. Might also be a factor of being able to afford widening the ROW in mountainous terrain as well...
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
There is a now unused Mikado 2-8-2 that was in logging service in northern Vancouver Island until about 15-20 years ago...I think, but it was in excursion service until the early part of this century. Its middle two sets of drivers are blind. I must confess that I did not notice before I walked away from the locomotive. Then, as my wife and I traversed a frog 50 meters behind the locomotive, I stopped and had a good look at the turnout. I guessed it was equivalent to a #4 or something, very sharp. I turned to my wife and said that there was no way a Mike was going to cross this turnout unless...and I retraced my steps to find that I had missed the blind drivers.
Here is the turnout
and here are the drivers on the Mike
Prototype steamers had blind drivers. Even 0-6-0's. 2 LNE 0-6-0's had blind center drivers to get around the curves in Catasaugua. PA. One is preserved, blind drivers and all, at Union, IL. many larger engines or 5 coupled engines also had blind drivers.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
NeO6874 wrote:I've not seen many class I photos with blind drivered locos. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I would imagine that the mainstay of the blind-drivered locos belonged to shortlines, or maybe smaller roads that couldn't fir in the broad curves that the larger class 1's could.
I would imagine that the mainstay of the blind-drivered locos belonged to shortlines, or maybe smaller roads that couldn't fir in the broad curves that the larger class 1's could.
The Little River 4-6-2 has blind center drivers.Treads may be wider so not to drop down.