Re: About Those Half flanges on #346

Well Mr Hi Commodore

The history that we all learned from Uncle Bob was special indeed. One more thing about turning tires on the C&S, they turned all.

During the 1965 overhaul the right no. 4 was turned. A fire ring was built and the tire was sweated off of the wheel by disconnecting the the stove in Uncle Bob's kitchen and running a gas line out of the window. The flange was built up by submerged arc welding and the tire was turned at Burnham. The fire ring, and wheel stand should still be around there somewhere.

When you operate in reverse up a 4% grade, on a sharp curve that r4 flange wears quickly, even with a flange oiler. So from 1965 to the construction of the loop in 2000 346 had as many forward miles as reverse. In 1995, using an AAR finger gauge I measured the r4 flange at a 3+ thickness. You should turn them at 4.

Anyway, those tires will last a long time now, but please, keep the flange oilers in good condition. Oil is cheaper than machine shop

Cheers
Dirk



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2011 12:54AM by Dirk Ramsey.