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USRA Andrews leaf-spring tender trucks
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Southern Pacific used Andrews type leaf spring trucks on all smaller classes of tenders. The riding qualities were preferred to sprung tender trucks. They replaced arch bar tenders with leaf springs.
On the SP Pacific Lines the tenders were all bunker oil tenders not coal after 1905. I understand that bunker oil was so viscious (thick) that it required a steam line from the engine and heater coils in the tender to heat the oil enough that it would flow. An SP fireman would not normally get on top of a tender or ride the tender footplate except in very exceptional circumstances while the engine was moving. There were very long dipsticks for checking the oil tank level on all three SP tender types (Vanderbilt or SP terminology cylindrical, Whale back in SP terminology semi-cylindrical and rectangular with an oil bunker where the coal bunker would be on a coal burning locomotive.) I have a couple of pairs of the PSC Andrews leaf spring tender trucks and they are a real pain to assemble squarely and hold together wiith solder. Bachman parts has not had the HO leaf spring Andrews trucks for the Baldwin 2-8-0 rectanglular tender or any parts for their Vanderbilt tender in stock of many years. -- Ken Adams Covid Variants may come and go but I choose to still live mostly in splendid Shelter In Place solitude Location: About half way up Walnut Creek Owner PlasticFreightCarBuilders@groups.io |
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Charles Greene
Aha....yes, on stoker-less engines the fireman would spend some time on the apron....didn't think about that (!)
Chuck Greene St. Charles, IL |
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william darnaby
I believe that this line of trucks has been sold to LaBelle but Bethlehem Car Works used to sell metal trucks that included just such a tender truck. They were (are) my go to truck for tenders and, being metal, make engine pickup easier. Bill Darnaby |
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Dennis Storzek
During the era in which these engines were designed the fireman was expected to be spending much of his time on the tender, as he repeatedly stepped on the apron as he shoveled coal. Depending on the weight being carried coil springs give a terrible ride; they get into a harmonic bounce that will make you sick to your stomach, which would likely be transferred to the engine through the tender buffer. Early on it was realized that leaf springs are self damping due to the friction between the leaves, so became the norm for engine and tender suspension. Dennis Storzek |
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Charles,
While the coal doesn't mind being jostled, you want to avoid sloshing
the water around, if you can. In addition the tender, at least to some extent, can affect the ride of the engine.
Regards,
Bruce Smith
Auburn, Al
From: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> on behalf of bounce+13731+198235+676026+2098347@groups.io <bounce+13731+198235+676026+2098347@groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2023 10:24 AM To: main@RealSTMFC.groups.io <main@RealSTMFC.groups.io> Subject: [EXT] Re: [RealSTMFC] USRA Andrews leaf-spring tender trucks
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Charles Greene
Thought leaf springs were used where a smoother ride was desired, as on cabooses. Why on a tender...unless on those which had a "dog house" for a crew member? Just curious....
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Kenneth Montero
Bachmann also makes such tender trucks :https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7969
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Dave Parker
Richard:
IN HO, these are the closest matches that I am aware of: https://americanscalemodels.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=andrews -- Dave Parker Swall Meadows, CA |
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Richard Townsend
I am looking for a pair of USRA Andrews leaf-spring tender trucks Richard Townsend
Lincoln City, OR
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