I have been working on drawings of Climax CN 1551 as some of you may have noticed based on some of my prior posts here. I am now trying to develop drawings of the Wrist Pin and Bearings at the Crosshead. I hope to be able to visit Cass late next Fall to get some measurements and ideas from CN 1551. However, 1551 is now assembled and I will only be able to see and measure the visible surfaces of the wrist pin etc.

I do have a Climax drawing of the Crosshead itself and measurements I made of the Drive Rod and some dimensions from a Climax drawing of the Drive Rod Assembly with a few notes.

Does anyone have any good drawings of typical Crosshead Wrist Pin configurations on the period 1900 - 1915 (when CN 1551 was designed) so that if and when I again obtain access to 1551 I will have an educated understanding of what I am seeing and measuring. The Climax cast Engine Frames have a Round Hole for access to the inside of the Wrist Pin.

.

Thanks! That is exactly what I was looking for.

No indication of Taper in the Climax F188 Crosshead Drawing. Now to determine good "Engineering Practice". Preliminary Draft of Wrist Pin based upon Climax Crosshead Drawing solely.

I do not know if this is "correct" but the 2.696" Dimension is from a Climax Drawing which states the diameter of the Bronze Bearing. Please note that the same dimension of the Split Bronze Bearing for the Crank Pin was a few thousandths SMALLER than the specified dimension of the Crank Pin. Maybe someone can clarify this practice for me on Split Bearings.

Looks like Corry decided to come up against a shoulder rather that draw in to a taper. There are two ways to fit up a split bearing - packed together tightly - with or without shims - or left with some looseness clearance for lubricants (and dirt in the case of Shay crankshafts). Don't know if I'd want to make the ID of the bearing smaller than the OD of the pin in any case though...... seems like asking for a high temp breaking in if not failure.

If you are looking for consensus, here is ALCO Practice from early 20s:

Do you have the referenced sheet 5-9A that has the dimensions associated with each letter available to share?

DC

Just a shameless plug: Many of you often see pages of the BLW Standard Practice sheets posted here by Kelly Anderson. Original sets of The Baldwin Locomotive Works Standard Practice Book (1927-1948) may be found in series #427m.54 in Manuscript Group 427 BALDWIN-HAMILTON COLLECTION, at the Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, PA. It is also microfilmed; digital copies of the microfilm may be ordered from us for a fee.

K.R. Bell
Railroad Archivist
Pennsylvania State Archives (PHMC)

.

BLW 9-5A

I have been advised by Grady Smith who was in charge of the CN 1551 restoration for more than 14 years that the Wrist Pin on CN 1551 was tapered. Pending measurements I have used the indicated max dimension on the Inside from the F188 Crosshead Drawing and Tapered the Wrist Pin 1.790° which is a known from several other Climax drawings which do have a taper indicated. See revised drawing. Fifty years of doing historical research has taught me to Never assume I know the answer. Always ask the question(s).

.

I have again revised the Wrist Pin to follow Baldwin and Climax practice. All Baldwin except for Pin to act as Key and slightly domed end of Wrist Pin which is in accord with other Climax tapered pins.

I have asked Grady Smith if this is what he remembers/knows?

As to your comment on the Pin diameter, I have been aware of that issue and am in agreement with you and will re-check all the Climax info I have. The Crosshead drawing itself referred to another Climax drawing for details which probably contained the taper and dimension(s) which are missing/uncertain.

This is a undimensioned profile of a Wrist Pin for Climax A-313 (1902).

Whether Climax changed its method by 1919 for C-1551 yet unknown.