Truck pedestal design

Abstract

A pair of opposed positioning lugs are attached to respective front and rear pedestal jaw walls of a railcar truck sideflame. The lugs are interposed between said respective jaw wall and the truck axle bearing assembly, laterally extending across the width of the sideframe pedestal jaw. The lugs function to independently maintain each axle in a right-angular relationship with respect to the truck sideframe when the sideframe travels upon linear track. Without the positioning lugs, each of the axles can potentially contact either of the pedestal jaw walls even when the truck travels upon linear track. This is due to the casting variances in the longitudinal length of each sideframe comprising the truck. When this type of truck negotiates a curve, an axle can be in contact with a pedestal jaw wall during linear truck travel to prevent the truck from steering as it was designed. The positioning lugs require widening of the longitudinal distance between the pedestal jaw walls before they can be installed; this ensures proper tolerances. Each of the positioning lugs is located on the axle longitudinal centerline and is preferably machined from the as-cast pedestal jaw material and when the truck proceeds onto a linear section of track, the positioning lugs will assist the axle back into a right-angular relationship between it and the sideframe. The positioning lugs can also be made from metallic shims welded to the pedestal walls.