Re: Test run at Loftus
  Matthew Geier

On 12/11/17 07:22, Malcolm Rowemal.rowe@... [TramsDownUnder] wrote:

>

>

> Great work.

> This may be the only set of McGuire trucks in the world.

>

Parko and others have not been able to find any others of this type
recorded as preserved anywhere. It's quite possible these really are the
last of their type in existence.

Watching 24s operate and riding on it, I can sort of see why - they are
not very good at all. When starting the weight transfer to the rear
unloads the front driven wheel too much so the lead wheel is prone to
wheel spin. Something doesn't seem quite right with the geometry. They
are not a good example of the 'maximum traction' idea.

Any one using them would have replaced them with something better at the
first opportunity!

24s has them as they were rejects from the F class program, so were
available 'cheap' (i.e. lying around the workshops) when the freight car
was constructed.

With a few tonnes of freight to hold them down, they probably work much
better !


In case any one's wondering about the reference to motors - for many
years there was a persistent story that 24s's unique McGuire didn't have
motors. I'm not sure where this came from, but it was considered gospel
by many, and no one actually bothered to look under the car and check!.

While the motors were overhauled during this restoration, they didn't
actually need any major work - they were stripped down, cleaned and
repainted. The only replacement parts are new motor leads.


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