----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Hendrickson" <rhendrickson@...>
To: <STMFC@...>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2007 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [STMFC] Re: oiling journals (Was Holes, etc...)

On Jul 26, 2007, at 9:53 AM, Tony Higgins wrote:

I have heard that the journal boxes had rags or packing to hold the
lubricant in. (-apparently to little effect but better than nothing.)
When repacking maintenance was performed, I believe these were
changed...is that all? It doesn't seem like enough work to call for
stenciling the repack date and location on the car. Was the
stenciling just to satisfy some agency requirement to document a
minimum service interval? -or was this typically a more extensive
service with other activities like disassembly and inspection?
Just wondering...

Journal bearings were half-bearings, in effect, which bore only on the top of the axle journal. Oil was poured into the lower part of the journal box, which was loosely packed with cotton waste positioned so that it wicked lubricating oil onto the lower half of the axle journal, thus providing continuous lubrication. The workmen who added oil to the journal boxes had hook-like tools which would fluff up and reposition the cotton waste packing. Eventually, however, the waste would pack down and accumulate dirt, so it had to be changed periodically, usually about once a year. This is what was meant by journal repacking and, because it was required at more or less regular intervals, that's why the repacking data was stenciled on the cars. Journals were also repacked, of course, if a wheel set had to be changed out or if one or more journal bearings required replacement.
Richard Hendrickson
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