Where can I get engineering drawings/specs (blueprints, drawings, even just a table of measurements) for journal brasses? Specifically looking for info on brasses for 5x9 journal boxen with an angular-style top (not the round style top I've seen in various places on the net). Looking to rebabbit some brasses and want to make sure they're to original spec when they're done.

The various Car Builder's Cyclopedias have drawings of brasses. PM me and I will scan and send you some-- both the "normal" steeple-back and the later flat-back types.

Howard P.
Waste Grab, CT

i have some AAR manuals at home. Need to see if they are old enough to still have the brass specs in them.

Steve

I'd like to clarify, too, that I need something that covers brasses for 5x9. I've seen a few places that have general drawings of a journal brass, but only for sizes other than 5x9. Thanks!

Maybe help you? see attached. If this looks promising send an e-mail address and i will send a large attachment.

I have the complete 1985 AAR specification (which I believe is the final one for plain bearings), to include the dimensional data and the metallic and manufacturing specifications. I am leaving tomorrow morning for the RPCA Conference, but I may be able to scan and provide sometime next week.

Regards,

Steve

Which style bearing is this: year, model, etc... I guess its a 5x9 also.

The AAR standards cover all three types and sizes 3 3/4 X 7 to 6 1/2 X 12. Most of these railway brass bearings were cast in iron molds to be sure no sand got into the wearing surface. The iron molds also resulted in a denser material.

Excellent. Thank you all for checking! I'll try and get a picture of the ones we've got so you can see exactly which style they are, but that'll have to wait until at least the weekend.

So, who has patterns for brasses or wedges for older smaller sizes? Does anyone have a source for spare parts?

The SPCRR has patterns for early non standard 2 3/4"x4" and 3 1/2"x6" "California style" journal bearings (no wedge) and matching journal boxes... as well as some WSLC patterns for other bearing sizes... still inventorying all...

We are particularly interested in the MCB oldest sizes... 3 3/4" x 7" and 4 1/4" x 8"

Randy

With a drawing and 3D printing we all have patterns available. Colorado Railroad Museum did a truck building project several years ago and reputedly built a set of patterns, then didn't make them available for some reason.....might be worth pursuing. I don't know of the museum in Kennesaw ever cataloged the large collection of patterns from Glover Machine Works, or if they would allow any to be used....but these parts are pretty straightforward and simply making allowance for draft and shrinkage an average craftsman should be able to build a board that could be used in a cope and drag pretty easily.

dave

Is there anybody out there who has the molds and is set up for pouring new babit in 5x9 bearings? I am at a position that I would be willing to ship all 12 of my bearings to somebody reputable to make them like new again. Any help would be appreciated.

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I have four brand new 5x9 bearings that I have no use for. If interested in them please PM me. I also have two wooden patterns for 4 1/4" x 8" journal brasses. They are also available.