Hello all,
An interesting question was brought up on the D&RGW 223 facebook page this week as the drivers were removed from the frame on Saturday July 15. A few people commented that the drivers look terrible because of the groove machined into the tires of the blind drivers, claiming that it is extreme wear. Of course in studying some photographs of D&RGW 315 in current operation and D&RGW 278 during restoration the same grooves appear in the blind drivers as well.
This photo by Nathan Holmes from his website shows the grooves on the 315:
[
www.drgw.net]
And this one from Thor Windberg's website shows the 278:
[
www.thorsteamworld.com]
I understand that these grooves are intentional and not wear, but what is their purpose? Is it simply to keep them centered on the rail?