Can anyone tell the story about these EMD Flexicoil B (already rare) trucks with the added benefit (?!?) of friction bearings? http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=174544
I know I've got a picture of a SW-1001 (a model introduced in 1968) wearing the same in my copy of The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide, albeit on AAR trucks. They were still downright common on new switchers in the early 50s when the two axle Flexicoil came out. They were probably cheaper.
There would have to be friction bearings under there. Roller bearing conversions done in friction bearing boxes had to have the covers removed, and holes cut in the sides to prevent any fluid buildup in the box. One thing about this, that engine cannot be moved to another location via a Class ! railroad due to prohibitions of interchange of friction bearing equipped equipment, so Respondek would need to put roller bearings under there to allow it to move.
Looks like all Illinois Traction SW1200 had Flexicoil with solid bearings. So for your answer you'll have to go back 50 years. Jason
Little Kanawha River Railroad #1205 is an ex-IT ex-N&W SW1200 with the same type of flexicoil trucks, sister to Respondek #1206 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1818409
Granted that it was just over thirty five years ago- But when I was working on rail cars, we would encounter RB converted cars which although they were drilled, still would have their lids.
I too have that ccopy of Pinkepank's http://www.amazon.com/Second-Diesel...8210144&sr=8-2&keywords=Diesel+Spotters+Guide and was confused why Flexicoil (roller bearing) trucks would seemingly have been backdated to friction bearings. Can anyone shed light on why the conversion was made? Are parts for Flexicoil B's just that hard to find?
I was told once that the friction bearing truck was cheaper than the rolling bearings at the time the SW1200's were ordered. The Belt Railway of Chicago also had some GP7's that ran on friction bearing Blomberg trucks.
I always found it interesting that the term "friction bearing" was coined by one of the roller bearing manufacturers in a marketing ploy to sell their own product. Somehow the term stuck and became used by everyone. The manufacturers of the brass journals fought back but the damage was done.
We saw a restored sleeper and Pullman car last weekend with the lids installed to make it look more original. They still had 2 friction boxcars there also. Railroad don't like those on there lines..LOL
