BR Standard buffer heads

I just received my Bachmann BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T today. It has oval buffer heads, which I thought was quite strange. I was always under the impression that oval buffer heads were only used on extremely long engines to prevent buffer interlock on curves.

I thought Bachmann may have got this detail wrong, so I went and checked some of my references. However, it seems that Bachmann got it right! The

80xxx class 4 2-6-4Ts all have oval buffers. Yet every other BR standard loco has round headed buffers (with the exception of 71000 Duke of Gloucester, which has oval buffers on the engine, but round ones on the tender) .

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to why this class was different from all the others?.

-- Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to
Enzo Matrix
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The back end of a 2-6-4t swings a long way because the ratio of overhang to rigid wheelbase determines the end swing. I'd guess the oval buffers on the front were used just to match the rear.

Regards, Greg.P.

Reply to
Gregory Procter

Not a solution, but another observation re: BR Standards........

75014 in its preserved state has oval buffers on the engine. Cheers, Mick
Reply to
Mick Bryan

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