Mal, I find it hard to believe that load is responsible for this. Im
assuming side wear to the head and check?
Side wear is classic of long wheelbase. Short wheelbase trucks should glide
round curves irrespective of vertical load, but dependent on coning, cant
and gauge spread. Vertical head wear is related axle load when negotiating
curves less than natural radius, thus breaking traction on one wheel.
Can you explain the mechanism relating to axle load in this case?

regards,
Mike

On Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 1:20:47 AM UTC+11 Mick Duncan wrote:

> Gday Mal,All

>

> Strewth,the W only had 4.5 ton axle load,about 6 ton full load and with

> real swiviling trucks

> No wonder the rails get chewed,esp on curves,esp with the rigid trucks

>

> Cheers, Mick

>

> On 23/03/2024 2:14 pm, Mal Rowe wrote:

> > On 22/03/2024 16:52, TP wrote:

> >> I've no doubt that there are design issues on different models of

> >> trams that have a bearing on the problem.

> >

> >

> > Axle loads are a key issue.

> >

> > In Melbourne, the fixed truck D2s have a maximum axle load of 22.2

> > tonne (for the centre truck - 11.1 tonne per axle)

> >

> > The Es are longer and heavier but have four swivelling trucks with a

> > highest axle load of 17.4 tonne (for an end truck - 8.7 tonne per axle)

> >

> > The Cs have a quite high axle load - around 21 tonne per fixed truck -

> > fairly evenly spread across the trucks.

> >

> > One of the key specs for the E class was for a lower axle load than

> > the C and D classes.

> >

> > Mal Rowe - getting technical

> >

>

>