1/8/02 (you mean I have to remember to use a different number now?)

The idea here was to Modify an old Bachmann 10-wheeler, to give it a truely equalized suspension. This should allow it to take rough trackage without any of the four drivers leaving the railheads. I say 'four' drivers because the middle set of wheels are designed to never actually touch the rail-head under normal operating conditions and can therefore be ignored for these purposes. If someone were to give me a set of equal tread-diameter wheels for this engine I'd gladly give it _full_ equalization of the drivers. } ; ]

One important thing to note here is that the Bachmann 10 wheeler does not operate like a real 10 wheeler would. In the prototype the lead truck would help in supporting the weight of the loco while helping guide the front end into turns. In the Big Hauler it is mearly given enough downforce to make sure it stays on the rails. The loco, therefore, actually runs like a rigid-frame 0-4-0 with a pair of jack-shaft driving spinny bits in the center. My plan is simply to 'unsolidify' the front axle and allow the bushings to ride up and down in their pockets. This way all four drivers can stay in contact with the railhead, just as a prototype 0-4-0 would do. This *should* allow greater traction as well as better running over rough track. I have also shaved the flanges down on the front drivers to take advantage of the lack of wheel lift when running on less that level track. If this mod seems to work I will be taking a bit more off and shaving the rear flanges as well. I haven't yet changed the front truck, but I may follow the rocking front axle theme there as well, it has been shown by others that this helps avoid derailments up there.

For the sake of simplicity I have not used any springing on this loco, although the idea of giving it a sprung suspension fascinates me. This would be simple to do by substituting one part The rocking arm) of my current design with a leaf-spring. I may have to try this setup on another Bachmann loco I have sitting in a box. ;]

Some notes before you look at the photos of what I have so far...
All measurementshave been taken with a highly calibrated eyeball, all cuts were made with a Dremel and needle files. Be warned that some of these photos are horrible, with the rest being mostly marginal. My digital camera is old and hates me and the low light I always subject it to. Still, I expected better with the 100W bulb I had right behind the lens. { : ]

View of the front axle with the frame upside down.
The Rocker arm from behind, looking over the iron weight.
The Chuff Drum has been moved to the center axle to provide clearance for the vertical struts.
An abysmal Frontal view of the Rocker arm assembled in the frame.
Here's a much better view of the installed Rocker arm and vertical struts.
The Front axle plus added bits shown seperate from the rest of the loco.
Three Quarters view of the seperated axle/rocker arm.
A general overhead view of the internal works.