Any sources for metal pedestal liners used on freight cars? Is there a substitute material instead of the high manganese material? Has anyone converted and are now using the polymer material liners?

> Any sources for metal pedestal liners used
> on freight cars? Is there a substitute
> material instead of the high manganese
> material? Has anyone converted and are now
> using the polymer material liners?

We have had new liners fabricated to order as the size and style varies depending on the truck - anything form steam tenders to freight cars to trolley cars. I do not know of anyone using a polymer.

But the pedestal liners are basically a wear item so you need to consider what the end use is. If the high manganese steel cannot be obtained due to availability or cost issues, there are other steel alloys which can be used and may never wear out depending on the how much service the cars will see. Better that the liner wear away and be replaced; and not the truck frame, or journal boxes.

Bob Kutella


68trolley@comcast.net

Found that the material used now instead of the high manganese material is one called Formalloy or FM400. This is an abrasion resistant steel. It is also easily welded unlike the manganese that took Nirod for welding.

> Found that the material used now instead of
> the high manganese material is one called
> Formalloy or FM400. This is an abrasion
> resistant steel. It is also easily welded
> unlike the manganese that took Nirod for
> welding.

There was a company making pedistal liners out of nylatron for diesels. I don't know the name of the company, but I believe they may have also made centerplate spacers also. Nylatron is a readily available material and we have used it for many bearings on our steam at North Freedom. It works especially well for hub liners on drivers and side slipers on cross heads. I have seen some type of plastic liners on some GE U boat units stored at the arsenal. Check with railroad suppliers.

fwantz@pressenter.com

> Found that the material used now instead of
> the high manganese material is one called
> Formalloy or FM400. This is an abrasion
> resistant steel. It is also easily welded
> unlike the manganese that took Nirod for
> welding.

I looked up the stats for FM400 ...it is part of a family of wear resistant 1.5% Mn steels made by several manufacturers. Under restricted conditions it is formable and weldable always remembering it is a "quench & temper" material.
I saw a bunch of ATSF GPs with plastic liners on the pedestals and I think in this day and age I would rather wear out a plastic insert then a journal box. {horrors, how non-prototypical}


lamontdc@adelphia.net