Re: Slack Action

Thanx Rick and El Coke. What you have described is exactly what was happening. Walking was very difficult and I nearly spilled my drink serveral times.
In addition to the slack action there was a very noticable and objectionable side to side motion. I could envision much slack in the journals allowing the car to travel side to side on the axles or a very wide rail gauge condition which allowed the same thing to happen. Perhaps it was a combination of both. The roadbed appeared to be in good condition as I did not notice any serious sags and dips as we passed over the rail. I felt like the motion had to do with the car more than the roadbed or rail. The open car in front of the Alamosa had less side to side motion than did the rear of the Alamosa.
The combination of slack action and side to side motion was commented on by several people in the car. One passenger commented that he had no idea that the ride would be so rough. He likened the ride to be like that of a small boat on rough water which I thought was a pretty good analogy.
The bartender was almost the only person that could carry a drink the length of the car without spilling it. In fact she offered to carry mine for me but I figured that if I went down I could swallow my Crown and Coke before I hit the floor. After all I've never been known to waste good whiskey.
Now that all of that is said would one of you knowledgeable folks please explain to me what causes the side to side motion to be so constant and excessive?