I'm looking to order some journal pads in several sizes soon. Has anyone bought any recently? (yes, I did do a topic search, but the most recent info was several years old)

Thanks,

Try Unity Railway Supply at 630-595-4560. From what I understand, there is one machine left in this country that makes them and it is old and out of service most of the time. The last time I talked to them, they seemed to be available in only 8", 10" and 12". I was looking for 9". If you can find a source other than this and they make 9" pads, let me know.

John Bechtel
Spencer, NC

How exactly are Journal Pads made? How impossible would it be to acquire/build the appropriate machinery to make them? Ideas???

There have been more than 1 probably patented design. Hennesy was one of the better known, his had an outside that looked like a towel or high pile carpet, and were optionally available pre lubricated.. I thought Unity was a broker or wholesaler, and Atlas was one of their clients, with a foam rubber filled, wire stiffened, cloth covered pad. The Association of American Railroads' repair books called them all "Lubricators".

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has purchased and set up the shop of Armstrong Oilers one of the standard springloaded journal pads used on most British Locomotives and cars. The will custom make for any size journal and cellar box from 2 inch diameter up. The even custom weave the oiler pad and wicks .I have visited their works and the make a quality .They also told me that the well make one offs for a sample to test, cost about 45 british pounds each or $68.00 US . You need to send them cellar and journal dimensions. I have seen ones made for US AAR style journal boxes. Web site www.nymr.demon.co.uk/main/oiler.htm . Or just google " armstrong oilers"

Is Hooper Industries out of business?

Richard Wilkens

I tried their number just now, got an answering machine and left a message.

I wouldn't worry too much about size, either. As we use up our Henessey inventory, we have found that there's no problem using C-8's in a 5 x 9 box. I also would like to experiment with the infamous mop cover and custom close-celled foam pad one of these days.

Bringing this topic back to the top...

Was anyone ever able to find a reliable source for journal pads? I have a pending need for pads for 5x9" journals.

If there is no remaining domestic source, has anyone experimented (successfully) with other options besides using waste?

Thanks!

Yes, we have.


We have used foam pad, the stuff you can buy at a Hobby Lobby or a good fabric store. The foam pad wicks well. If you disassemble a modern pad, you will find that it too had foam pad, with the pure cotton cover made like shag rug. I actually played with the idea of making a shag rug pad with foam pad wick. However, off the shelf items are not the same as the commercially made products.

The foam pads I made were not used in extensive service.....they just helped us get a move done where we had no other option. I would imagine that as well as it worked for our application that it could have a good longer term possibility. It is worth considering.

Here is the contact info for Hooper Industries, Trinity Rail is a distributor of products. Economy in pricing can be found in dealing directly with the manufacturer.

Hooper Industries
2121 Druid Park Dr
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 462-4400

The machine had, for many years, repeatedly broken down. As of just a couple years ago it was out of service for sometime following a decision to completely overhaul it due to continued demand.

Cheers, Jason

Ive recently ordered pads from Hooper. I also got there answering machine many times, just keep trying.

Has anyone ordered from Hooper lately? Any other sources turned up?

ETA

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Thanks Kelly! We're repacking an EMD switcher truck (12" pads) and have enough material for this one, but don't want to be without in the future. I know nothing about Armstrong oilers, but assume they would be suitable? Anybody tried one in a regular Journal box yet?

ETA