I see that the K-Line Fairbanks Morse Trainmasters have the blind driving wheel in the center, as opposed to being at the inner end of the motorized trucks. They are still able to negotiate O31 curves, according to what I read.
I'm curious as to how K-Line was able to do this.
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I think the answer is straight-up geometry. All you need is to make sure the blind driver does not catch a rail by its edge. But the locomotive itself would look stupid on 16" radius track. It needs 0-120 to look right. Opinion.
Without having seen one, my suspicion is that the pivot point of the trucks are slightly different from Lionel's version. On O31 curves, the Lionel trucks swing quite wide. It does look a bit awkward.
"I'm curious as to how K-Line was able to do this."
Williams Alco PA and E-7 diesels also have a proper center-blind model truck design (rather than the awful end-blind design). The end-blind design allows a manufacturer to add 3-axle trucks to a frame without changing the pivot-point and maybe other factors used by the 2-axle ("B" truck) design. The end-blind 3-axle type is actually a 2-axle truck with an awkward decoration sticking out of it.
Pivot points remain roughly in the same location whether it be K-Line, Lionel or William's. Placement of the blind driver mid truck doesn't restrict the swing or the ability to negotiate 031 curves. The inherent lateral free play in tinplate type wheel sets prevents binding on flanges. The same geometry allows steam locos with 6 or 8 drivers to traverse the same tight curves, as long as the middle drivers are blind. LionMaster articulated engines can handle 031 for the same reason and look extremely awkward doing it.
Bruce
The other item to mention about those K-Line Fm tm's is they are equipped with 6 axle drive! Those units are stump pullers!
prrhorseshoecurve posted:The other item to mention about those K-Line Fm tm's is they are equipped with 6 axle drive! Those units are stump pullers!
So , I need a pair of those K-Line TMs , too , eh ?
I wound up buying one late last year. It is beautiful and has smoke and horn !
I have 2- railed five of them, and I really have no love at all for plastic trains. These things are stunningly detailed and easy to convert. Flanges on all axles, just like God intended.
Two of them were shortened to become CNW "baby" Train Masters.
bob2 posted:I have 2- railed five of them, and I really have no love at all for plastic trains. These things are stunningly detailed and easy to convert. Flanges on all axles, just like God intended.
Two of them were shortened to become CNW "baby" Train Masters.
I remember your two shortened “Baby” units ... CNW ... pretty ...
so , easy to convert to 2 rail ?
I’m starting to get the idea I need to 2 rail my FM collection ... hehehe
I was less than thrilled with my K-line Virginian Trainmaster. The first one they sent me all the screwpost were broken. I asked them to replace it. They sent me one with the paint scraped off. "That's all we have." I sold it.
Scott Smith
I just tried running my K-Line Train Master on my layout. It fouls on two places where my Lionel does not. Not by much but enough to limit running it to the outside loop.
I suspect the slight difference in pivot points combined with the blind wheel location makes the body swing ever so slightly more than it's Lionel cousin.
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