I have a customer that has recently received a rebuilt Diesel Electric derrick from the Army, but it is still on friction bearings. The group prefers to buy a "kit," then do the conversion themselves, but may consider sending both trucks out for modification, if the price is affordable.... Info below:

American Locomotive Crane Company
40/50 ton Capacity
Model 840DE
Serial J3139

The trucks say: AAR 6x11, #59500
The journal box covers say: AAR 1947, #285

Has anyone done this conversion recently??
Who makes the conversion "kit"??
Who can do the conversion if the trucks are sent to them??
How much did it cost??

Your inputs are appreciated..

V/R BILL BONDIE
IRON HORSE WATER TREATMENT Inc.



http://www.ironhorsewater.com

billbondie@ironhorsewater.com

Wouldn't it be easier to just borrow some roller bearing, Wabco-equipped trucks that fit the crane's center casting to get the crane moved, then change them out again? Seems a lot of work and expense for a piece of rolling stock that probably will not travel the high iron again.

> I have a customer that has recently received
> a rebuilt Diesel Electric derrick from the
> Army, but it is still on friction bearings.
> The group prefers to buy a "kit,"
> then do the conversion themselves, but may
> consider sending both trucks out for
> modification, if the price is affordable....
> Info below:

> American Locomotive Crane Company
> 40/50 ton Capacity
> Model 840DE
> Serial J3139

> The trucks say: AAR 6x11, #59500
> The journal box covers say: AAR 1947, #285

> Has anyone done this conversion recently??
> Who makes the conversion "kit"??
> Who can do the conversion if the trucks are
> sent to them??
> How much did it cost??

> Your inputs are appreciated..

> V/R BILL BONDIE
> IRON HORSE WATER TREATMENT Inc.


ryarger@rypn.org

> Wouldn't it be easier to just borrow some
> roller bearing, Wabco-equipped trucks that
> fit the crane's center casting to get the
> crane moved, then change them out again?
> Seems a lot of work and expense for a piece
> of rolling stock that probably will not
> travel the high iron again.

*******************************************

The derrick is now at their yard,(don't ask how it got there over the main line).

This group has received several serious inquiries, from one major road and two shortlines that wish to place the the derrick under a lease contract to perform future planned track and yard work. This requires it go out on the main line to reach these work locations, hence, the friction bearings must go....

BILL BONDIE
IRON HORSE WATER TREATMENT Inc.


http://www.ironhorsewater.com

billbondie@ironhorsewater.com

> *******************************************

> The derrick is now at their yard,(don't ask
> how it got there over the main line).

> This group has received several serious
> inquiries, from one major road and two
> shortlines that wish to place the the
> derrick under a lease contract to perform
> future planned track and yard work. This
> requires it go out on the main line to reach
> these work locations, hence, the friction
> bearings must go....

If a "major road" wants to use the crane, it most likely has the shop resources to make the roller bearing conversion. Perhaps having them do that could be part of the lease "payment". If the "major road" is the same as the group's outside connecting road, then why is the RB conversion needed? Plain bearings are not prohibited by FRA; they are prohibited by AAR Interchange Rules on interchange revenue freight cars. A railroad can choose to move plain bearing equipment (or can choose not to). A locomotive crane is oddball enough so that it isn't really a big deal that it's on plain bearings.

Plain bearings are sometimes used as a way for railroads to not have to deal with moving old equipment-- an easy way to say "no". They are not inherently dangerous, as some present-day railroaders would have one believe. And there is certainly nothing hazardous about a freshly-serviced plain bearing. Interesting how hot-box detectors are still in service on railroads, 8 years after the prohibition of plain bearings in interchange. Does that mean that roller bearings can run hot and could be "dangerous"?

> If a "major road" wants to use the
> crane, it most likely has the shop resources
> to make the roller bearing conversion.
> Perhaps having them do that could be part of
> the lease "payment". If the
> "major road" is the same as the
> group's outside connecting road, then why is
> the RB conversion needed? Plain bearings are
> not prohibited by FRA; they are prohibited
> by AAR Interchange Rules on interchange
> revenue freight cars. A railroad can choose
> to move plain bearing equipment (or can
> choose not to). A locomotive crane is
> oddball enough so that it isn't really a big
> deal that it's on plain bearings.

> Plain bearings are sometimes used as a way
> for railroads to not have to deal with
> moving old equipment-- an easy way to say
> "no". They are not inherently
> dangerous, as some present-day railroaders
> would have one believe. And there is
> certainly nothing hazardous about a
> freshly-serviced plain bearing. Interesting
> how hot-box detectors are still in service
> on railroads, 8 years after the prohibition
> of plain bearings in interchange. Does that
> mean that roller bearings can run hot and
> could be "dangerous"?
They may want to contact the Timken Company.I know we make a 6x11 AP bearing,but I do not know if we make a kit as such. They would have to contact the sales or customer service departments. Hope this is of some help.

jjpfeil@worldnet.att.net