Re: RGS #20 Oct 2009

I can't access the picture.

Binder lugs are typically tapered on both sides, though smaller engines sometimes had them tapered only on the side away from the axle. The binder should fit tight on the taper. Usually one or two bolts per end are used and the binder should not bottom on the frame. When tightened, this causes the binder to bend which can be mitigated by blocking the outer ends of the binder when it is just snug and prior to cinching down the binder bolts. We will do this with #20.

The only exception I have seen to this is naturally on the EBT. For whatever reason the EBT purposely bottomed their binders which allowed just a tiny bit of slop on the lugs. Inspections of all locomotives showed this practice to be very consistent. I have no idea why they did it this way though it seems that they had a reason for it.