Bolster clearance question

This forum is dedicated to Riding Scale Railroading with propulsion using other than steam (Hydraulics, diesel engines, gas engines, electric motors, hybrid etc.)

Moderator: Harold_V

User avatar
Erskine Tramway
Posts: 390
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:13 pm
Location: South Dakota
Contact:

Re: Bolster clearance question

Post by Erskine Tramway »

Our 15" gauge trucks at Sandley's all had pivoting side frames. The pivot ran through the upper 'spring plank', and the bolster side bearings had about 1/8" clearance. our load to empty ratio was 1:2. We figured a ton of load in a car that weighed a ton.

Here's a picture of the last design we had, with flame cut side frames. The pivot is the end of the bolster, the orange circle in the black spring plank. The flange bearings are "FMC'' self-aligning rollers. The other truck in the photo is one of the original Sandley trucks. The pivot is in the center of the casting, and the journal boxes are individually sprung.
Milw Zoo excursion car truck 1975 (2).jpg
Mike
Former Locomotive Engineer and Designer, Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works, Inc. and Riverside & Great Northern Railway 1962-77
BN RR Locomotive Engineer 1977-2014, Retired
Post Reply