I agree with John Bush. The last time I repacked a journal was about 1988, and I was able to use NOS Hennessy pads, which came preoiled in a plastic bag. Can't get 'em anymore! There is also more to repacking than simply replacing the pads/waste. It includes removing and inspecting the brass for wear, making corrections to the babbit with a scraper tool, and reassembly. An ess shaped piece of steel, about 6-8" wide, at least 1" thick, with a 4-6" offset is needed to keep from going mad jacking the journal box to remove the brass. The end hooks over the rim of the wheel to hold it down to the rail, while the journal jack (these days a 10-20 ton hydraulic jack you may get from any hardware store) sits on top and works against the bottom of the journal box, with appropriate wood blocks used as packing to get everything level.
That repack was for some old CNJ coaches that were to leave Wycomb, PA, for interchange through Conrail. The old car foreman from Morrisville yard came out to inspect my work, and smiled and nodded when he saw the marks on the wheel rims and the block marks in the dirt under the journals. He commented, "You really did do a repack, didn't you?" I guess by then, some repacks were already being done with a spray can.
Steve
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2012 02:28PM by szuiderveen.