Does anyone have the AAR spec for a 100% cotton journal pad?

Do you know that there was an AAR specification for all cotton journal pads? Most AAR specs were performance based, so the construction of the pad would not make any difference as long as it did the job.

Find an old copy of AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practice M-918 (Specifications for Railway Car and Locomotive Journal Lubricating Devices). If I am not mistaken, it is obsolete and not available thru AAR.

There were "Approved", "Conditionally Approved" and " "Authorized for Limited Test Application" (or something to that effect) types of pads listed in the AAR Interchange Manual but I don't think it has material specifications for the core.

The cores are usually some sort of sponge rubber, or a formed spring(s). The pad has to be compressed in order to install it, so those things were necessary to make it squeeze down and then expand once the pad is in place. Also, the sponge rubber helps to hold additional journal oil in the pad.

Howard P.

If you are in need of new journal pads, they can still be had from the last remaining supplier, but other options are available.

The Valley Railroad in Essex CT uses open cell foam blocks sawed out of a block of foam. These are supported on a sheet metal chair with holes in the bottom and sides. This is standard Chinese practice and works well. Contact J David Conrad for details. Another option are spring loaded lubricator pads being made in England, Again contact j. David.

I had a visual image of a wire cut foam block that fit the lower half of the journal box, and was all open cell foam with a cotton covering.

I'll call J. David at Valley next week

What's the size?

Here is the 3025 trailing truck pad.

[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\David\My%20Documents\My%20Pictures\2011-11-13--cape%20cod\DSCI1142.JPG[/img]


and

[img]C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\David\My%20Documents\My%20Pictures\2011-11-13--cape%20cod\DSCI1144.JPG[/img]

These are the driving box cellars and foam block holders.









Dave

trailing truck pads---3025

Driving box cellar with foam pad --3025

Spring loaded wicking journal pads from England, see J David Conrad

I don't think that these were initially used but acquired for study.

Dave Wantz