Which is the "front" of a diesel loco?

2614 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Brian Considine, Mar 5, 2008

Wayne Lanchester

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2008

I have half a dozen or so 80's diesels which I will soon be converting to DCC to run on a layout in my loft.

I would basically like to ensure that when I select "Forward" on my controller the locos are going what would be considered forward. As several have been fitted with Zero 1 chips & then removed the wiring could have got swapped around & the locos running the wrong way.

I'm also not sure if the body has been put back on the right way around on several locos, so if the loco is going forward according to the body, is the chassis going forward?

Basically what I am asking here is should single axle drive diesels be "front" or "rear" wheel drive?

Sorry for such basic questions but I'm not a railway expert (but am learning from this forum & would like to learn more)

Thanks

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

poliss

· #2 · Feb 28, 2008

I should say that the powered axle should be at the front if all else is equal.

Dinwiddy

· #3 · Feb 28, 2008

Could be either really - DMU/Eurostar/EMU's if they have only one powered bogie tend to put it at the back of the power car for some reason. Diesel locos I tend to have it at which ever end the exhaust vents are on the roof.
Regards
David Y

Brian Considine

· #4 · Feb 29, 2008

The "front" of a diesel/OHE is normally considered to be the no.1 end.

Brian Considine

· #5 · Feb 29, 2008

QUOTE (Dinwiddy @ 28 Feb 2008, 23:45) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>DMU/Eurostar/EMU's if they have only one powered bogie tend to put it at the back of the power car for some reason.

Indefferent mech's get better traction with the power bogie at the "back" of a driving car, also, there is more room at the "back" of anything with a sloping "front".

SRman

· #6 · Feb 29, 2008

I have always treated locos with motor bogies (ie drive at one end) as running marginally better with the motor trailing - even so this can vary from model to model.

For DCC, I treat the radiator end as forwards. There are exceptions or variations to this rule. For some reason, Bachmann class 66s with DCC sound have the silencer end as forward by default and the radiator end as reverse.

The other awkward types are double ended ones with engines and radiators at both ends, eg Deltics, Westerns and Warships, and also class 53 Falcon. There may be others I have missed.

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter as long as you know whatever convention you decide to use.

Brian Considine

· #7 · Feb 29, 2008

QUOTE (SRman @ 29 Feb 2008, 11:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Ultimately, it doesn't really matter as long as you know whatever convention you decide to use.

I would tend to agree - about half of my diesel/OHE go "forwards" from #2 end - after all they probably spent half their time going "backwards" anyway ! - changing the driver over was "fun" with a few though !

G

· #8 · Feb 29, 2008

Hi All

As mentioned before the front of a Deisel is the number 1 end. The radiator fans are at the number 1 end except on a class 66 which they are at the number 2 end. As for things like deltics and westerns that have symetrical ends I have no idea.

If you are thinking more of the model then Lima stuff will run better with the motor at the back. The reason is the trailing bogie is more flexible in 3 dimensions and will ride the track better. Also as a loco acceleated the center of gravity moves backwards so you should get better traction (although if this is buy a noticable amount I woud be very surprised!)

HTH

Jim

Wayne Lanchester

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 2, 2008

Thanks for that - "Forward" will be the radiator end for all mine as I don't have a class 66 (yet!)

If I get a Deltic then i'll flip a coin to decide which end is No. 1

Thanks again for your answers

Wayne

ME 26-06

· #10 · Mar 2, 2008

On my diesel engines, the cab labelled #1 is "front".

Same with electrics.

SRman

· #11 · Mar 3, 2008

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 3 Mar 2008, 09:46) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>On my diesel engines, the cab labelled #1 is "front".

Same with electrics.

But if I put a number 1 on the cab of (say) my Western, some of my 4mm scale passengers might get confused and think it's the first class section!

(pity we don't have a "tongue-in-cheek" smiley!)

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ME 26-06

· #12 · Mar 3, 2008

QUOTE (SRman @ 3 Mar 2008, 10:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>But if I put a number 1 on the cab of (say) my Western, some of my 4mm scale passengers might get confused and think it's the first class section!

(pity we don't have a "tongue-in-cheek" smiley!)

My passengers know that a first class ride is out of their reach, anyway.

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goedel

· #13 · Mar 3, 2008

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 3 Mar 2008, 22:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>My passengers know that a first class ride is out of their reach, anyway.

Is that when they see the locomotive pull up with a rake of Eaos wagons?!

Nothing like some fresh air...

Yes, for us European modellers it is very easy as they always label the ends 1 and 2, and for symmetrical models they even put grooves in the chassis block and ridges on the inside of the bodyshell so they can only go together one way round...how lucky we are - that only leaves me to get confused about which bodyshell goes on which chassis! There is a good trick here though...only dismantle your models one at a time.

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7113

· #14 · Mar 4, 2008

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 3 Mar 2008, 22:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>My passengers know that a first class ride is out of their reach, anyway.

Is that down to the cost of repairing the damage caused by the dreaded Herr Preiser?

Regards

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ME 26-06

· #15 · Mar 4, 2008

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 4 Mar 2008, 18:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is that down to the cost of repairing the damage caused by the dreaded Herr Preiser?

Regards

No, Mr Preiser has eventually been caught by ME Police, got a nice licking when they arrested him (that´s in self defence, of course), and has been sentenced to dust off all the stones in ME Railway´s ballast, one by one, with a toothbrush and a bucket of water.

That ought to teach him!

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goedel

· #16 · Mar 5, 2008

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 4 Mar 2008, 21:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>No, Mr Preiser has eventually been caught by ME Police, got a nice licking when they arrested him (that´s in self defence, of course), and has been sentenced to dust off all the stones in ME Railway´s ballast, one by one, with a toothbrush and a bucket of water.

That ought to teach him!

It certainly should! And if he ever finishes he is most welcome to do the same for the Godelbahn (we will grind it all up really small just for him!

).

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Brian Considine

· #17 · Mar 5, 2008

QUOTE (ME 26-06 @ 4 Mar 2008, 21:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>and has been sentenced to dust off all the stones in ME Railway´s ballast, one by one, with a toothbrush and a bucket of water.

Not forgetting that each stone must be replaced in exactly the right position !

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