As has been stated many times, BR Standard Class 9Fs are currently banned from the mainline as there is a fear that their flangeless centre wheel could foul check rails and cause damage or even derailment.
Is there any workable solution to this which might mean 9Fs are permitted in the future?
For example, could the flangeless centre wheel design be replaced with one which has a small flange, but with reduced route availability (ie losing the ability to navigate the tightest curves but should still be ok on the mainline?) I openly admit that I have no idea if that’s even remotely feasible.
Is there any workable solution to this which might mean 9Fs are permitted in the future?
For example, could the flangeless centre wheel design be replaced with one which has a small flange, but with reduced route availability (ie losing the ability to navigate the tightest curves but should still be ok on the mainline?) I openly admit that I have no idea if that’s even remotely feasible.