I have had zero exposure to real trains and I keep hearing about fixed pilots. I would like to know if fixed pilots are prototypical to real trains or something model trains has added?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Originally Posted by RRaddict2:
I have had zero exposure to real trains and I keep hearing about fixed pilots. I would like to know if fixed pilots are prototypical to real trains
Yes, fixed pilots are indeed prototypical to MOST diesel electric locomotives (except for those huge Baldwin Centipede units), since there development in the 1930s.
or something model trains has added?
Yes, definitely "added" by the "toy train manufacturers" so as to negotiate VERY sharp curves, like around the Christmas Tree.
Yes, on the prototypes the pilots are fixed to the body of the loco and do not swing left and right through curves.
Since o-gauge trains have the pilots swinging, they also cannot have full-length vertical handrails on either side of the steps.
You've never seen a real train? Or a picture of one? There's hundreds of pictures of real trains on this forum alone.
I would like to see a real diesel with a swinging pilot though... pretty cool stuff lol :-)
I would like to see a real diesel with a swinging pilot though... pretty cool stuff lol :-)
Sorry couldnt help myself on that one!
How can one (adult) care about model trains if there is no exposure to real ones? How
can there be no exposure...?
Oh, well.
======
Laidoffsick: swinging pilots are indeed used in the real world of locomotives. Any locomotive
with dual trucks mounted on a swing bolster typically has the pilot mounted on the swing
bolster. The PRR GG1 electric - the real one - has "swinging pilots"; the UP Veranda (and some other) UP gas turbines pilots swing. Virginian streamlined electrics (I forget the class). The pilot could be mounted on the frame, but the geometry would make it swing too far to maintain dependable coupling with the train.
Some small industrial locomotives use truck-mounted pilots for exactly the same reason that some models do: to be able to negotiate very tight curves without having the coupler
swing to far to the outside of the curve to remain coupled to the first car.
Originally Posted by Laidoffsick:
You've never seen a real train? Or a picture of one? There's hundreds of pictures of real trains on this forum alone.
I would like to see a real diesel with a swinging pilot though... pretty cool stuff lol :-)
I would like to see a real diesel with a swinging pilot though... pretty cool stuff lol :-)
And oh yeah... there was this little thing:
Rusty
Attachments
Images (2)
As D500 stated....these would swing.
Attachments
Images (1)
Of course I have seen a real train but I have never been close enough to see if the pilot was fixed. It is easy to love model trains with no exposure to real trains. My grandfather started setting up trains for me at Christmas time from the time I was 5 and they are great fun.
I just happen to post this today. Look at the top two pictures. Can you see why the difference?
click on this:
https://ogrforum.com/t...20#37329508003017820
I'll just post it here:
Here she is with some painting still needed but roughed in:
and with "the gap"
