THE RAILROAD CAR

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• CHAPTER 5

• THE RAILROAD CAR

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The Railroad Car

• The Essential Parts
• Car body
• Bolsters
• Suspension System
• Bearings
• Wheels

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• The 8-wheel Car

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• Couplers and air brake hoses
• There's more to a coupler than meets the eye.
  Most
• of it is inside the "draft sill," hidden from
  view. The
• "draft gear" helps absorb impacts. Brake hoses.
• joined by "gladhands," connect air brake lines
  from

• car to car. The "angle cock" manually opens and

• closes the air brake line on an individual car.

• Mechanical Committee of the Standard Coupler
  Manufacturers illustration

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• Standardization/Interchange
• Repairs
• Capacity/Load Limits

Nominal Car Capacity Nominal Car Capacity Gross Rail Load (4-axle car) Journals (diam. length) Journals (diam. length)
30-ton 60,000 lbs 103,000 4.25x8 in. Class B
40-ton 80,000 142,000 5x9 Class C
50-ton 110,000 177,000 5.5x10 Class 0
70-ton 154,000 220,000 6x11 Class E
100-ton 200,000 263,000 6.5x12 Class F
110-ton 220,000 286,000 7x12 Class G
110-ton 220,000 286,000 6.5x9 Class K
125-ton 250,000 315,000 7x12 Class G
125-ton 250,000 315,000 7x9 Class M
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• Clearances (Dimensions) Plate B -- Plate K
• Safety - 1893 1970 1980
• Components and Design

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• Component Nomenclature

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Suspension System

• Heavy-duty springs are used for suspension
• Standard springs used with varying amounts of
  inner coils for heavier loads
• Springs compress 2½ to 4¼ inches when under load
  more than this would affect couplings
• Rock-and-Roll

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• Suspension System (continued)

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• Bearings and Wheels
• Springs are supported by a frame which connects
  directly to the axles
• Friction bearings used until 1963
• Roller bearings replaced the friction bearings
• -Reduced maintenance
• -Required for interchange service to other
  railroads
• Wheels typically 33 or 36 in., based on weight
  (28 in. for some tall cars)
• Hotboxes

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• Bearings and Wheels (continued)
• Wheel Thermal Loads
• Wheel Wear
• Truck Hunting
• Radial/Premium Trucks
• Inspections/Costs/Maintenance