So, is there an approximate percentage improvment that the steerable trucks provide over the HT-C trucks? The reason I'm asking is that I'm toying around with making a model of an SD40(-2) that uses the steerable trucks off of the newer engines. A wrecked SD70 is my logic. I'm assuming that there would be an improvment in performance. I don't know that it would be cost effective, but I'm curious what the improvment would be.
I dont have an engineering degree, but I am willing to bet there are some major frame differences or modifications for "steerable" trucks. CT
The improvment would be in the adhesion coefficient of the locomotive along with reduced wear on the wheels of the locomotive. There would also be a reduction in the wear of the rail itself. The steerable trucks allow the wheels "steer" around a curve, preventing the flanges from biting into the ball of the railhead. There shouldn't be much modification to the frame of the loco. The steering mechanism is in the truck frame. The mechanism needs to attach to the frame, but this is done with a single pin and a steering arm.
That's what I was thinking. Aside from the cost to purchase the trucks, installation wouldn't be a big deal. It sounds to me like to really be effective, you'd need to retrofit a lot of locos. One SD40 isn't going to reduce too much wear and while that unit will have better adhesion, it would be an oddball. hmmm, I'm still think it would be interesting.
When BN was first experimenting with a "steerable" truck, they put one on an SDP 45, BN 6599. It was and odd ball. It was a 4 axle truck and it was painted silver.
