I just recieved notice the Wabco will stop making all the old style brake cylinder packing cups by the end of the year.They are part # 68577 thru 68583 thats 6" dia. to 18" dia. Almost everyone uses these cups on older passenger cars and steam locomotives. The Wabco salesman suggest that anyone using these place an order before the end of the year. Also some one should try to obtain the dies and continueing making these cups.

Could this be a job for "Super-PGH-AIRBRAKE-Man"????Seriously, would it be possible for the Jubecks to obtain the production rights and equip from Wabco? That's assuming they would want to....Can something (like the leather mentioned in the "old" books) be substituted?

I doubt that PABCO would want to go into production on brake cups. The machinery to manufacture these cups would be too expensive and perhaps it is not for sale. The molds, masters and dies to produce these cups on a machine however should be saved. That is if they would be available.why don't you call them and see what you can arrange.

I will check with WABTEC and report back.

I checked with Wabtec, I was told that they are not going to stop making the packing cups # 68577 thru # 68583, but are going to make them MADE TO ORDER items. MTO means that the cups will not be keep as stock items at Wabtec but will be made when orders reach a pre set number of item numbers to be made and that the price will increase.If you have a need for these parts in the next couple of years it would be a good idea to order before the price goes up. Please keep in mind that rubber needs to be properly stored and that the shelf life is 5 years.Pittsburgh Air Brake Co., Inc. keeps some of these cups in stock, the 16" & 18" for use on the heavy weight cars. PABCO will also be able to order the sizes you need and we may stock some other sizes if the demand is there.Any other questions email me at pghairbrak@aol.comPABCO is here to help with any air brake needs. WWW.PABCO.BIZ

Are we certain that WABTEC makes these packing cups themselves and that they're not made by another vendor??? Longwood makes a lot of rubber parts for air brake valves. Are we sure that Longwood doesn't make these cups, or is not capable of making these cups?

I am sure that Longwood does nt make this type of packing cups.WABTEC makes them in greensburgh PA at there rubber plant.