I recall something, but it might have been in EIM 25 years ago when Doug Hewson? was doing 5in waggon articles. The main interest was how to decide how many tufnol leaves to put in to weaken it for scale performance.

Hewson discussed the springs for a Britannia in ME210/4453p526.

There is something about weights and adhesion theory in ME211/4470p808

The issues are using the right steel in its tempered state, then hardening and tempering for springs. Then deciding from the model weight what the correct loading is per axle, and how much compliance (spring rate) is best, and measuring the deflection obtained (ideally in a test jig). Because 100% tempered steel springs are often too firm for an application, there are options of substituting some leaves in Tufnol, using bronze instead, or machining slots in the (soft) steel leaves.

I don't think I have seen an article attempt to address all of this. But if you search the Model Engineer Clearing House Forum http://modeleng.proboards.com (best to do this through google 'leaf spring modeleng.proboards.com' ) the subject has been well discussed in recent years.

Norm

edits – killing smilies !!

Edited By norm norton on 15/01/2020 14:28:53

Edited By norm norton on 15/01/2020 14:29:21

Edited By norm norton on 15/01/2020 14:30:21