I watched a loaded Dakota & Iowa rock train today that had a weird sound coming from one of the cars. There is a small grade the train has to overcome before it hits open, flat prairie, so the train was in granny gear. About 2/3 of the train was over the hump. In fact, the rest of the train must have finished the climb while I was watching as all the slack bunched(?) in. About 1/3 back from the front, one of the cars was making a very loud whirring noise. It sounded like a revving, deep throated chain saw- loud/soft, loud/soft. I thought I had could tell where the noise was coming from. I got ahead of the train and waited at another crossing. I figured if I could really ascertain that car #1089 was making a sound like the Green Hornet's car, I could let the railroad know that information. At the next crossing, the train was up to track speed in the 40 mph range. Ol' car #1089 was just fine. Any thought about what that might be about?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Loose or sticking brake shoes or rigging can make a chattering or vibrating sound.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70Dude Loose or sticking brake shoes or rigging can make a chattering or vibrating sound.
If the brake shoe was just barely touching and the wheel had any offset from circular, the vibration of the shoe on the wheel would vary in intensity as the wheel rotated and the shoe would touch more and less in the rotation. If the car were empty that vibration would rattle the sides of the car such that it could be heard a long distance away.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo If the brake shoe was just barely touching and the wheel had any offset from circular, the vibration of the shoe on the wheel would vary in intensity as the wheel rotated and the shoe would touch more and less in the rotation. If the car were empty that vibration would rattle the sides of the car such that it could be heard a long distance away.
samfp1943 Semper Vaporo If the brake shoe was just barely touching and the wheel had any offset from circular, the vibration of the shoe on the wheel would vary in intensity as the wheel rotated and the shoe would touch more and less in the rotation. If the car were empty that vibration would rattle the sides of the car such that it could be heard a long distance away. Just guessing, and add to what Semper Vaporo noted. Brake shoes on rail cars are generally a 'composition' material. I have read that some cars, in what were considered severe service conditions; would sometimes be fitted with cast iron brake shoes. Is it possibly that the noiose might have been attributal to a hung brake shoe(s)?, of one, or more different materials ?
Just guessing, and add to what Semper Vaporo noted. Brake shoes on rail cars are generally a 'composition' material. I have read that some cars, in what were considered severe service conditions; would sometimes be fitted with cast iron brake shoes. Is it possibly that the noiose might have been attributal to a hung brake shoe(s)?, of one, or more different materials ?
From back in the days when I was a Train Order Operator (late 1960's), I recall the B&LE had double clasp brakes on each wheel. When operating, with the brakes released, the passage of a train of these cars, especially empty, was a cacophony of sound not soon forgotten - rattling all the way. Among the operators on the line the trains were routinely announced as 'here come the rattlers'.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Thank You.
Chicago streetcars were Blue Geese or Green Hornets depending on their colors.
Wonder if what some of what the OP was hearing were the wheel bearings (tapered roller bearings) after getting coal dust or grit in them.
mudchickenWonder if what some of what the OP was hearing were the wheel bearings (tapered roller bearings) after getting coal dust or grit in them.
Was it a rattling, or a steadier hum?
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
zugmann mudchicken Wonder if what some of what the OP was hearing were the wheel bearings (tapered roller bearings) after getting coal dust or grit in them. Was it a rattling, or a steadier hum?
mudchicken Wonder if what some of what the OP was hearing were the wheel bearings (tapered roller bearings) after getting coal dust or grit in them.
Buzzing = bearings
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.