Steam & Excursion > UP 4014 Driver Sets at Strasburg Railroad on 9/5/2017

My friend and I went on the shop tour at the Strasburg Railroad on 9/5/2017. One of the more interesting sights were the eight driver sets for Big Boy 4014 along with new crank pins and tires. One of the crank pins is being machined. Enjoy!

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Three more.

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Another three.

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Last three.

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Wonder if they arrived via train or truck...

Wonder why they're replacing all the crankpins? Are they under limits, cracked or ??

bankshotone Wrote:
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> Wonder if they arrived via train or truck...

As I recall they were trucked.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Thanks Bob

Posted from Android

Aint to many places that could do that job these days..

What are the springs on the axles for?

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Most important thing probably was to get a shine on them.

ALCO630 Wrote:
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> What are the springs on the axles for?

Lateral motion devices.

And I'm guessing they keep the axle from trying to move sideways in the journals?



HotWater Wrote:
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> ALCO630 Wrote:
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> > What are the springs on the axles for?
>
> Lateral motion devices.

Posted from Android

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

ALCO630 Wrote:
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> And I'm guessing they keep the axle from trying
> to move sideways in the journals?

No. The Franklin Railway Supply Lateral motion devices allow the whole wheel, axle, roller bearing assembly to move laterally within the frame pedestal jaws. With roller bearing equipped axles there can be absolutely NO MOVEMENT between the axle and the roller bearing assemblies inside those large cannon housings. Plus, the UP also used the Franklin Railway Supply automating shoes & wedges.


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> HotWater Wrote:
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> > ALCO630 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
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> > -----
> > > What are the springs on the axles for?
> >
> > Lateral motion devices.
>

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Wonder why they're replacing all the crankpins?
> Are they under limits, cracked or ??

Don,

No telling how many times those crankpins had been turned or resurfaced, so since all new tires are in order, all new crankpins would also be prudent. Thus all driver diameters and quartering are back to UP drawing specifications, valve setting will also be dead nuts on, when the whole thing is reassembled.

Great photos!!!

Thanks for sharing them. Provides an opportunity to see what can normally only be seen from a pit track.

While doing crank pins may seem like why do them its more of why not now and make them true if possible or replace as needed. Same as a crankshaft in a car engine, make it true now and it will run longer and better. Its also a small job in the scope of things.

I'm surprised you got access to this area, looks pretty classified considering Percy has a facemask over him!

-Sean

Thomas was also in the witness protection program with his mask on too.

I think all first series (1941 production) Big Boys had seen over 1 million miles in service when they were retired. It makes sense that with previous shoppings the crankpins had probably been turned down to clean up wear. As HW mentions, new crankpins at spec nominals would make it easier to get the valve settings right on the money for a better running locomotive.

Scott Griggs
Louisville, KY