Push-Pull Train Development
54495 drew its five coach train forward from the south cassette until the rear coach was alongside the platform, and after a suitable interval slowly moved off onto the north cassette. It then reversed the procedure, several times. Each time it negotiated the transition from cassette track to layout track, and vice versa, and also the reverse curves of the loop point. And at various speeds.
Of course, this was to test a new engine. I started out with a target of only two coaches for a 4-4-0, thinking that was the minimum I could get away with at exhibition. After running in over several days its pulling (and pushing) power continued to increase. Similarly with 54458. The locos now weigh around 200 gm each, and the tenders a further 80 gm. The weight was distributed so the locos balanced horizontally about half way along their length, slightly ahead of the leading driver axle. The bogies have side control springing and take their proper share of the load.
That was only half the job. The train consists of four Hornby coaches, converted to P4, and a hand built TPO. The back-to-back measurements were carefully checked, and re-checked, and the wheels were accurately centred with respect to the axle pin-points before I could get them all to turn freely.
Kyle of Sutherland 
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