Modifying journal boxes for C&S 1008

When we started our restoration/rebuild in 2010 of C&S 1008 we made a number of decisions regarding obtaining parts that would need to be replaced. As you may already know 1008 came to us with no metal parts at all. This is not unusual in restoration projects but it means either making or locating replacement parts that look similar and function the same as the original. We have been able to find some C&S parts but none which are original to our car.
One of the first group of parts we were able to locate was a set of four pedestals from the CB&Q (a relative of the C&S) and a set of four journal boxes which happened to match the pedestals. We believe these may have come from a standard gauge caboose truck which had an equalizer bar on top of the journal boxes on each side of the the truck.
For us to use these journal boxes we needed to remove the ridge which runs across the top of the journal box that connects the equalizer bar between the journal boxes. 1008 has a leaf spring which rides on top of each journal box and the top of the box needed to be flat. We have gotten used to both repairing and modifying parts and each box was mounted on my small mill and the ridge removed.
You may have noticed we have both top and bottom dust cover slots on the journals. I’m pretty sure the C&S caboose had either one or the other on all four journal boxes, probably top loading. I have checked with my mentors who have assured me that either will work for us.





Richard and Bob Farmer