Abstract: A resilient clip on pedestal wear plate comprises a base with two opposing side lips for resiliently holding the base on a railway car side frame. When installed, the wear plate serves to prevent wear on the load bearing surface of the pedestal. The side lips of the wear plate comprise a center portion with spring arms extending therefrom to resiliently attach the plate to the side frame. Because the spring arms do not depend on bending of the base for their resiliency, the wear plate of the invention provides improved service stress capabilities.
Abstract: A brake shoe key is driven into operative engagement between a conventional brake shoe and a brake shoe support head in order to removably attach the brake shoe to the head. The brake shoe key is composed of cold workable austenitic stainless steel such that the key does not form stress cracks during fabrication and becomes stronger upon installation by driving.
Abstract: A bottom rod safety guard in the form of a loop is suspended from a brake beam. The cable ends are looped through holes in the beam, and a latch plate extends beneath the beam to provide a releaseable connection.
Abstract: A clip-on wear plate for protecting the downwardly facing surface in the pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate is especially adapted to be used on worn pedestal surfaces and comprises either a pair of separate plates or a plate with a central portion removed.
Abstract: A rail fastener having provision for rail gauge adjustment comprises a pair of supports secured to the railway tie in a spaced relation on either side of the base of the rail and a spacer between each support and the rail base. A series of different width spacers are provided for exchangeable insertion between the rail base and support to allow lateral incremental shifting of the rail in the event that gauge adjustment is required. Resilient clips attached to the supports serve to hold down the rail between the spacers, and the dimensions of the spacers are also selected to provide constant deflection of the clips regardless of the adjusted position of the rail.
Abstract: One or more of the springs supporting the bolster of a railway car truck is a two stage spring group comprising an outer coil and an inner coil disposed within and coaxial with the outer spring. A retainer is provided to hold the inner spring in relation to the outer spring. The retainer has helically arranged lugs or a flange in engagement with the outer coil at the lower end, and the retainer also includes a support surface for supporting the lower end of the inner coil.
Abstract: A wear plate is installed on the downwardly facing surface of the pedestal opening of the side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of lips extending upward from opposite sides of the base. The lips resiliently engage or clamp onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base protecting the downwardly facing surface. The base is slightly bowed and is formed a convex shape relative to the downwardly facing surface before installation, such that upon installation, the base of the plate is free of undesirable distortions.