It on occasion happens that friction-bearing trucks [passenger or freight] get converted to roller-bearings.

What is involved, and what is the cost, generally? One hears about Timken AP-EE, or "Quads" listed as the bearings of choice. How would the cost be compared to moving a friction car via flat car, or non-rail vehicular transport?

hi-plains@juno.com

The 1522 crew converted the loco's tender in the last rebuild. Contact them for specific tips. I do know that it isn't always possible depending on the size of the bearings in the trucks. In the case of 1522's tender the rollers are now entirely out of sight inside the old journal boxes. The costs of loading and shipping something can vary a lot depending on where in the country the work has to be done, distance to move, and if you might be able to get some or all of the work donated, have a friendly crane operator at your end of the trip, etc. Every case is unique and all are done on a case-by-case basis.

Museum of Transportation
rdgoldfede@aol.com

> It on occasion happens that friction-bearing
> trucks [passenger or freight] get converted
> to roller-bearings.

> What is involved, and what is the cost,
> generally? One hears about Timken AP-EE, or
> "Quads" listed as the bearings of
> choice. How would the cost be compared to
> moving a friction car via flat car, or
> non-rail vehicular transport?

George;; During the transition period when roller bearings were replacing the "friction bearings",
we ran several programs where when we reworked the cars we converted them to roller bearings.It
has been awhile so this will be pretty general.
The conversion requires removal of the box lid,
cutting out the back of the journal box and welding in some retainers. The axle journal must
be machined to accept the roller bearing cartridges. Depending on the lathe available it may be necessary to press the wheels off to do this machining and then remount them. Since the
wheel seat and the wheel bore must have an interference fit this will require a lot of juggling to match them up and a percentage of new wheels to replace those whith too large a bore dia. I think the general rule was new wheels on old axles and old wheels on the new axles.
This doesn't help you on the cost figure but maybe it will give you an idea of what is involved
so you can make your own estimates.
Jim


rrfanjim@mvn.net

Can the roller bearing conversion be done so that the front and lid of the journal box are retained?


lamontdc@adelphia.net

> Can the roller bearing conversion be done so
> that the front and lid of the journal box
> are retained?

I checked on this with our retired wheel shop foreman and neither one of us could think of any reason why the box lids couldn't be left on. On
the RR we were not concerned about maintaining historically accurate appearance and the lids were no longer needed so we left them off.

Also, I discussed with him whether or not it was necessary to normalize the side frames after the roller bearing conversion like we had to after
welding in new friction plates in the pedestals.
Neither of us thought it was necessary but you might check with others who might be more up to date than we are.
Jim


rrfanjim@mvn.net

Timkin produced a book on converting side frames by cutting torch. Basically a slice-dice-assemble procedure. For passenger cars they sold and reccomended a adapter that replaces the box.

Stuhr Museum
pfdx@aol.com

> Timkin produced a book on converting side
> frames by cutting torch. Basically a
> slice-dice-assemble procedure. For passenger
> cars they sold and reccomended a adapter
> that replaces the box.

I have one of these books. If interested in acquiring it, contact me off list.

Tod Engine Foundation

todengine@woh.rr.com

I'm currently up to my armpits in such a conversion. So here are a few numbers. Actual costs may vary, of course.

Adapters- used $600 ea., new $1,400 ea.
Wheelsets - $1,500-2,500 depending upon the wheel wear.
Crane costs- It seems to cost about $5,000 for a crane and riggers for one day.

So if all goes well, you can possibly do a 6-axle car for $20-25k.

We were quoted about $30k to move by truck or flatcar. The price may come out about the same for the conversion and move on its own wheels, but we won't have the friction journals to maintain. And since I only know of one source for journal pads any more, that could be important someday.

shaymech@hotmail.com