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Freight Track identification

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:59 pm
by johnpenn74
Does anyone recognize this freight truck bolster? The aluminum broke. I would like to find a replacement.

JP

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:38 pm
by Pat Fahey
Hi John
Going by the side frame it looks like one of Bill vanBrocklin design trucks because you did not state what scale. Just a guess, hope it helps. Pat WLS

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:58 am
by makinsmoke
Railroad Supply?

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 12:01 pm
by BClemens
makinsmoke wrote:Railroad Supply?
Agree - the set w/o brake hangers. Looks like a case for CI bolsters.

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:37 pm
by slsf1060
BClemens wrote:
makinsmoke wrote:Railroad Supply?
Agree - the set w/o brake hangers. Looks like a case for CI bolsters.

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't remember RRS having those cast on rocker points on top of the bolster like these have.

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:54 pm
by makinsmoke
The round thing above the springs?

That looks like something drilled and installed
there.

I've seen plenty of these broken. Usually the outside flange of the spring tab. I've never seen one broken just outside the wear block.

That's weird.

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:13 am
by Pontiacguy1
Best thing to do, in my opinion, if you want to get the trucks fixed and back up and running, get yourself a piece of aluminum and just make another bolster on the milling machine. It might not look like the casting, but it will be much stronger and with most of it sitting there between the side frames anyway, it wouldn't be very noticeable. That's what I would do if it were my set of trucks.

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:33 am
by BClemens
7075

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 1:09 pm
by steamingdon
trucks or tracks ? :D

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:52 pm
by BClemens
steamingdon wrote:trucks or tracks ? :D
Is 7075 rail available? Who would need steel rail?

Truck sideframes and bolters NC machined from solid 7075 stock would be stronger than ductile iron and easier to manufacture by CNC machining than casting....but in my personal estimation/opinion; aluminum is for airplanes - not railroad parts. I bought recently a bunch of arch bar truck parts (2 1/2" scale) and they seem like model train parts; not for any robust heavy use. Cast aluminum is mealy and soft - usually 356 AL. Compensate for its use by making necessary chunky and over scale looking parts that will probably still not be adequate in strength.

Why would anyone make siderods of cast aluminum? I bit - I bought some years ago thinking they must be adequate in strength - it turns out to be for ease of manufacture to sell - disregard damaging a piece of finished machanical equipment.

It's been a great day! Please don't forget that this is a discussion..IMO

BC

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:59 pm
by makinsmoke
Re: my previous post about the location of the break.

That threaded? protrusion above the springs...

Could that have contributed to the bolster breaking where it did?

Re: Freight Track identification

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:03 pm
by makinsmoke
And keep in mind Guys this bolster is at least forty years old, and chances are it had a hard and unguarded life.

I understand that steel and possibly iron would be a better selection for base material today, but in a business sense I would say the Railroad got its money's worth from that purchase.