O27 Lionel locomotive?

[michaeljoe]

The older O27 train set I bought had this steam locomotive engine. I like it it's heavy and it's metal.
Question I know I have to clean it up and oil it a little bit. Hopefully I will learn how to take the top off so I can look at the rest of the inside parts and clean them up if needed.
But anyways I'm not sure if the four wheels in the front are pointed in the correct direction. They can spin around 360° so I just want to make sure that I have it in the right direction.

 

[Rico]

Shouldn’t make a difference pick up wise with three rail track I’d think.
Maybe try running it both ways and see if one is better.
Seeing how the lead truck will be pushed it looks like reversing how it is in your picture would enable the slot to center it?

 

[Mixed Freight]

The older O27 train set I bought had this steam locomotive engine. I like it it's heavy and it's metal.
Question I know I have to clean it up and oil it a little bit. Hopefully I will learn how to take the top off so I can look at the rest of the inside parts and clean them up if needed.
But anyways I'm not sure if the four wheels in the front are pointed in the correct direction. They can spin around 360° so I just want to make sure that I have it in the right direction.

Your pictures show the best way to run the pilot truck. The truck will have an easier time staying centered between the rails, as opposed to pressing against one rail or the other if turned the other way around. Not really sure why Lionel didn't design some sort of stop to prevent the truck from being able to spin 360° around, but maybe they would have if it really inhibited the tracking of the truck.

 

[Rico]

Hey wait, Paul has it right!
I was looking at it in reverse but pushing the pivot pin forward would indeed center the truck.