I have a metal-works/forge industry on my early 1900's layout that is looking for business. I was wondering if railroads of that era had old/worn/damaged wheels refurbished, or were they just sold for scrap?
Jim
Mostly scrap. Iron wheels weren't able to be turned like later steel wheels were.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
dehusman Mostly scrap. Iron wheels weren't able to be turned like later steel wheels were.
Dave's response prompted a google search for when the iron-to-steel wheel transition occured, and the following popped up, posted in the MR General Discussion Forum by cacole on Friday, December 5, 2014:
Ribbed wheels were made of cast iron. The purpose of the ribs was to dissipate heat and prevent the wheels from shattering during a prolonged brake application. Overheated cast iron wheels shattered and caused many serious accidents over the years.
Smooth backed steel wheels began replacing cast iron wheels in the latter part of the 1930s to early 1940s, and became mandatory on any rolling stock in interchange service in 1958.
For more info on this topic, check out "Ribbed Back vs "Flat Back" Freight Car Wheels", posted by Isambard on October 16, et al.