Is there some sort of wheel shortage out there?

This is the third I've heard of extensive delays in receiving wheelsets (4501, 425 and the B&M 3713 at Steamtown).

Dave

I don't think it so much a shortage, as ordering something that is, nowadays, a custom item. Were they ordering a standard freight car wheel/axle/bearing combination, they could probably have the order filled much more quickly.

Custom production probably gets slotted into "holes" in regular production, and those may not appear very often, depending on the workflow of the supplier and how interested they are in doing the work. With less suppliers out there, the problem gets worse. I believe the only major wheel manufacturers in the US are Griffin/Amstead and ORX.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

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With reference to pony truck, lead truck, engine truck, etc. I got into it on another forum with about the part of a diesel truck that holds the side frames apart and carries the center plate. I called it a bolster, but one of the 'expert railfans' corrected me and said that the correct name was transom. (Never heard that term used for that part before-) I let it ride, but then saw a very nice drawing by PCook of an EMD Blomberg truck, while up at RMNE. I guess if an engineer from EMD calls it a bolster, bolster it is. I also saw, online, 'truck' bolster and 'carbody' bolster.

Truth is, just like caboose, cabin car, or van (using more formal names) or hack, buggy, doghouse, brain box, dollhouse (the less formal names), there are regional differences. As long as we can all understand each other...

It is all part of the color of railroad history. I love it.

I would note that for many New Englanders "buggy" is a more formal name for that red car at the end of a B&M freight than "caboose" ever was. :-)

Rob -

On the Burlington and the C&NW, they were called "waycars".

Les

BTW.......SRC had a great turn around once they received the bearings/axles. I didn't word my last post very well.

It's great to see the work progressing so well and thanks for the update.

I'm surprised it hasn't made it on here yet, but we had the 425 outside Wednesday and Thursday. It was a short trip out of the shop for a few hundred feet to settle in the spring rigging. There are a few more tweaks to go and some finishing repairs to the tender trucks. Look for smoke in Port Clinton in two weeks or so.

So the obligatory foamer question: will she remain blue?

Rob

Here are a few cell phone pictures from Wednesday. As for the color........who knows. Its been back and forth.

After being born and raised in the small town of Tamaqua, and living right next to the railroad tracks, it's always good to hear progress on "Blue thunder." Now living in Cali, I wish I was back home to see her in steam again. As for the color.. who cares, be glad Andy was willing to invest and return her to steam.

Who said they weren't glad?

I don't care if she's pink.

The discussion I have heard kicked around is that a black #425 would make a more appealing sight for photo charters, if such a thing were of interest to the R&N. We'll see... Given her overall good looks, loud exhaust and a very scenic home route with decent track, charters on the R&N would be quite varied and have high potential. It is an additional revenue stream, albeit a modest one.

Rob

I wasn't directing anything towards you? I just mean in general... it todays era we're lucky to see any steam. THAT'S what I meant by "who cares."

I personally agree black would be the way to go. As well as the high mounted light instead of the center mount. But like I said, I'm just glad to see any steam.