<P> I am curious about what is the procedure of moving a park locomotive? It seems that the most important job to begin with (besides ownership and politics)would be to revive the wheel bearings and/or the axle surface.How do you go about this?What are the first steps?What to look out for and where can I find literature on this?<p>Brian Hebert<br> <br>




btamper@hotmail.com

<P>A locomotive (or car) in a park that has plain babbit or bronze bearings will have a oil or grease cake lubricator that rides on the axle. It is necessary to take them all out and check the surface of the journal.<br>Additionally it is a good idea to jack the bearing box and check the axle all the way around to be sure there is no pitting. Surface rust is almost always there. <br>All the surfaces should be cleaned of rust and thoroughly lubricated before moving anything.<br>In the case of a tender or car it is a good idea to remove the brass entirely to check and clean the journal.<br>If there is a lot of pitting it is important to relieve the edge of the pit so it will not gouge the bearing. (assuming it is not hopeless).<br>In any case any journal pitting means a short and slow move until the problems can be cured.<br>Doing the job right is a lot of work.<br>Our locomotive required jacking - a wheel removed, the journal turned before railroad inspectors would allow us on their track. <br>Now days getting plain bearing equipment moved by a class 1 railroad is virtually impossible. <br>