Abstract: A wear plate assembly adapted to engage a friction wedge of a railroad car truck. The wear plate assembly includes a base member having an upper wear member adapted to engage the friction wedge. The upper wear member is formed from a first material such as steel. The wear plate assembly includes a lower wear member located adjacent to and below the upper wear member. The lower wear member is adapted to engage the friction wedge and is formed from a second material such as cast iron. The upper wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.30 and the lower wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.15. When a rail car is at tare weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the upper wear member and when the rail car is at fully laden weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the lower wear member.

Abstract: A side bearing for a railcar having a car body and a bolster. The side bearing includes a top member adapted to be located adjacent the car body of the railcar. The top member includes a downwardly extending projection. The side bearing also includes a base member adapted to be located adjacent the bolster of the railcar. The base member includes an upwardly extending support member, a wear plate holder coupled to the support member, and a wear plate coupled to the wear plate holder. First and second adjustment members are attached to the support member to selectively move the wear plate holder and the wear plate along a horizontal axis to adjust and maintain a zero or minimal clearance between the wear plate of the base member and the projection of the top member and thereby control movement of the railcar truck/car body interface.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A railway truck frame for a railway truck including a first side frame and a second side frame, each side frame having an inverted trapezoidal-shaped window including a first inclined side and a second inclined side. The truck frame also includes a bolster having a first end and a second end which extends transversely between the first and second side frames. Each end of the bolster includes a first inclined channel and an opposing second inclined channel. Each channel includes an exterior flange, a spaced apart interior flange, and a bearing surface located between the exterior and the interior flanges. Each inclined side of a window is adapted to be located in a respective first or second channel between the exterior flange and the interior flange of the channel and in engagement with the bearing surface of the channel.