This makes sense. The pivot point of the front bogie is towards the rear, hence the traction tyre does nothing if the centre wheels force the traction tyred wheel off the track which is the rear axle in the front bogie.A photo of my 8-wheel Alco. The centre axle wheels are mostly hidden by the bogie side-frame and their ommision is hardly noticable unless you get down and look closely.
Alan
View attachment 209685
This has worked a treat! Now pulls 14 double bogie wagons no problem. I am happy with it but it does beg the question "why should you have to remove the centre axles for the loco to function properly?This makes sense. The pivot point of the front bogie is towards the rear, hence the traction tyre does nothing if the centre wheels force the traction tyred wheel off the track which is the rear axle in the front bogie.
I will investigate further at the weekend.
Thanks
Mark
I think that you could just remove the plastic piece on the axle and re-insert the axle. It would have totally free movement up and down but I don't think that would cause a problem.Great to hear that your Alco now pulls realistic long trains, that loco needs long trains.
Perhaps it is the weight distribution, a standard LGB Alco is driving on 2 axles like an 0-4-0. The difference in tractive effort between a modified and standard Alco is huge
I may be tempted to look at finding a way of replacing the idler centre axle without affecting it's performance. At the moment though I'm too busy watching it hauling long trains!