Ride on tender springing??

[gall335i]

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if any one that rides on there loco tender can provide some info on how you sprung it to take the weight?

Thanks

Andy.

[Scrat]

Hi Andy,

I know of two approaches. Seen on models at our club.

a) just provide downwards movement. When the driver sits on the tender, the axle boxes touch the frame.
Less comfortable ride, easy to build and wheels react reliably to pits in the track as there is plenty of space (and force) to push them downwards.

b) All axle boxes are in mid-position. Of course this depends on the weight of the driver. Not so easy to build but gives a more comfortable ride.

Some people use real leaf-springs. I have copied a design I saw in another tender. There are dummy leaf springs on the outside, and the brace which normally would hold the leaves together is hollow and contains a normal coil spring. A screw at the top makes it easy to access/replace without taking the axle box out.

Hope this helps.

Holger

[gall335i]

Hi Holger,

Thanks for the information, did you use stiffer springs on the rear axle as that's taking most of the driver's weight?

Thanks

Andy.

[Scrat]

Hi Andy,

we used the same springs on all wheelsets. My Minx also has a ride-on tender ans as it is big enough all axles receive an equal load. (I can sit almost in the middle).

[hudrail]

Hi
It`s easy shove some rubber on the top of the axle box , have used it for 30 years never needed replacing .
Brent

[gall335i]

Hi Brent,

so simple and obviously works so well!

Thanks
Andy.