friction bearing truck

[rs2mike]

Ok folks i am on ebay looking at altas ho engines and came across a rs-1 with friction bearing trucks.  What are friction bearing trucks?  What other type of bearings are out there?  Does  one work better than another?  Or is this a rookie mistake and that was what was on the real engine?

Just curious

mike

[Beaver14]

rs2Mike,

"Friction Bearing" (also known as "plain" bearings") were one of two principle types of axle bearigns on locomotives and rolling stock. The other was and is roller bearings. "Friction" (plain) bearings were formed by two solid chunks of brass--basically a split box with a hole in the middle--in which the axle rotated. Even well lubricated, these bearings had much higher friction than the newer roller bearings, hence the name "friction" bearing.

The RS-1 was produced in the middle of the two-and-a-half-decade struggle by the railroad industry that witnessed the conversion from the old plain (friction) bearings to the more efficient (only rolling resistance) roller bearings. The always-conservative railroad industry struggled with the higher cost and less known technology of roller bearings, until the logic of lower friction (and a government--ICC--edict for rolling stock) won out in the mid 1950's. Many (most?) RS-1's were built with the old bearings, as with most other contemporary locomotives--whether steam or diesel. Subsequently, many were converted to roller bearings, but retained the outward appearance--the bearing cover hatch--of the old bearing. Others removed that bearing box and replaced it with a roller bearing that featured a visible, exposed axle end, usually shaped with a distinctive rounded-triangle shape. That's how it appears on models--either a bearing box hatch/flap for "friction bearings" or a simulated axle end for roller bearings.

Since RS-1's enjoyed a long, productive life, the model builders (Atlas has been good on this) have provided both options.

If you are looking at an Atlas model, you are looking at a very fine runner, at least in HO (my experience). I have several and they are excellent runners.

[rs2mike]

rs2Mike,

"Friction Bearing" (also known as "plain" bearings") were one of two principle types of axle bearigns on locomotives and rolling stock. The other was and is roller bearings. "Friction" (plain) bearings were formed by two solid chunks of brass--basically a split box with a hole in the middle--in which the axle rotated. Even well lubricated, these bearings had much higher friction than the newer roller bearings, hence the name "friction" bearing.

The RS-1 was produced in the middle of the two-and-a-half-decade struggle by the railroad industry that witnessed the conversion from the old plain (friction) bearings to the more efficient (only rolling resistance) roller bearings. The always-conservative railroad industry struggled with the higher cost and less known technology of roller bearings, until the logic of lower friction (and a government--ICC--edict for rolling stock) won out in the mid 1950's. Many (most?) RS-1's were built with the old bearings, as with most other contemporary locomotives--whether steam or diesel. Subsequently, many were converted to roller bearings, but retained the outward appearance--the bearing cover hatch--of the old bearing. Others removed that bearing box and replaced it with a roller bearing that featured a visible, exposed axle end, usually shaped with a distinctive rounded-triangle shape. That's how it appears on models--either a bearing box hatch/flap for "friction bearings" or a simulated axle end for roller bearings.

Since RS-1's enjoyed a long, productive life, the model builders (Atlas has been good on this) have provided both options.

If you are looking at an Atlas model, you are looking at a very fine runner, at least in HO (my experience). I have several and they are excellent runners.

Thanks beaver14 I appreciate the info.  I currently have a ton of ahn/riv rs-2/3 that i enjoyed fixing and getting to run good.  But I think in the long run sceme of things they will lose the decoders and motors and become dummies or yard queens.  I have seen some really nice altas equipment and am considering investing in them in the future.