3rd Rail Niagara Pilot Truck

The nature of the suspension of the pilot truck provides no useful downward force on it, especially its leading axle.  My other steamers with 4-wheel pilot trucks (including 3rdRail Hudsons) have springs above the pilot truck center, which largely prevents upward tilting of the lead axle.  An inherent design defect in the Niagara?

I don’t have this issue, my Niagara is the best none legacy engine on my pike.  I would check and see if the wheels are in gauge.  Pics, video would be nice.

Here are the pix of the underside of my Niagara, showing the pilot in place and isolated. The weight of the truck itself is the only force holding it on the track, as the attachment arm, at best, only provides downward force on the rear axle.  You can see in the bare-frame picture two holes between the cylinders that look like they might have been intended to attach a "U" bracket like the Hudsons have, but the center of the truck does not align with those holes - it's slightly forward of a line connecting them.

Looks like that arm is bent straighter than it should be. Restore the bend and there will be more force pressing it to the rails.

Pete

@Norton posted:

Looks like that arm is bent straighter than it should be. Restore the bend and there will be more force pressing it to the rails.

Pete

Agreed that arm does not look right.

@Norton posted:

Looks like that arm is bent straighter than it should be. Restore the bend and there will be more force pressing it to the rails.

Pete

I noticed that, but the loose nature of the connection of the arm to the truck (caused by the spacer screw) will probably continue to allow the front axle to continue to ride up and over obstacles (washer may help fix that).  I'm hoping that someone has a photo of another 3rd Rail Niagara that details the orientation and extent of the arm bend, plus the fastener configuration.

Well, it appears that I've found a working configuration for this truck.  I restored the zig-zag bend in the brass piece that connects the truck to the underframe, then oriented it so that it rises upward as it crosses the rear axle of the truck, and placed a spacer washer between it and the truck at the latter's point of attachment.  Hard to see in the pix below, but it gets through the mainline switches, curves, and opening sections without incident now.  I'm sure that some refinement will be needed as experience is gained.

Great fix! Glad you made some progress. Hopefully you got it set on the first try.

After being contacted directly and alerted to this thread, I have deleted the posts that did not contribute to the OP's original intent.  PLEASE guys, start your debate about "Pilot Trucks" in the real trains forum...just make sure it is about real trains and not model trains.