Are the temperature monitors on the drivers just for peace of mind (765 does have rollers on the drivers IIRC)?

We installed temperature sensors on The Famous (that's 4501 for those of you in Rio Linda) when we were getting her ready for the filming of October Sky back in 1998. It was a relatively easy install and it worked great. Thermocouples are a wonderful little device!

On a purely philosophical note, when dealing with most people my age or younger whom you encounter on the Class I's, they know nothing about friction bearings, so they throw their hands up and break into apoplectic fits when something like a solid bearing shows up. It's rather silly as every diesel and electric out there is riding on friction bearings, two per powered axle, and I ain't talkin' about the ones you can see, neither...

Mike

While its certainly true that many locomotives still have traction motor combos with friction support bearings, most modern day locomotives (especially AC traction locos) have traction motor combos that utilize what is known as a u-tube assembly which has a pair of roller support bearings. The u-tube assembly then bolts to the front face of the traction motor. See the picture at the following link. The employee is installing a new roller support bearing on the u-tube assembly.
http://www.progressrail.com/locomotive-wheels-axles-bearings.asp

Getting back on the main subject, to Kelly's point, anything that streamlines the process of getting 765 accepted by the Class 1's is a good thing. Have we not learned anything from the success of the operation of 261??? Having an all-star team such as the 261 Friends is obviously extremely important, but also having a locomotive that is mechanically sound is quite a big deal as well.

The engine has already done a heckuvalota traveling already, I think the trailing trucks have survived all that quite fine.

I recall when the engine was getting pulled out from lawton one of the bearings got warm but it was dosed down with plenty of oil for sure.

With the recent overhaul I think all the parts got full attention one more time.. 8-D

I think the tender and loco got new brass bearings including the siderods and valve gears where needed in its first overhaul.

Be careful what kind of neighborhood you park your '44 Model Berkshire in...



The tender was lifted last Friday, Buckeye trucks removed, and temporary shop trucks installed.

Donations to help cover the cost of this upgrade can be made online:

http://www.fortwaynerailroad.org/support.html

More photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortwaynerailroad/

http://www.facebook.com/fortwaynerailroad

KL

I just got back to put another quarter in, dang, booted again!

You don't see that every day, a mobile crane lifting up a NPR tender in the snow.

as built by Lima, rollers on pilot and drivers, friction the rest of the way.
Heat monitors should be put on the trailing truck friction bearings.
From what I recall all friction bearings were replaced with new bearings from its original restoration which includes the siderod bearings, and perhaps again afterwards, but someone will have to follow up on that data.

Axle bearings on the drivers are Roller, but siderods are friction. Don't think the railroads are counting that as a requirement. But many other roads like N&W put rollerbearing rods on the drivers.