Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bolster of a railway car truck includes providing a drag portion and a cope portion of a mold. In a main body section of the mold, a parting line that separates the drag portion from the cope portion is substantially centered between portions of the mold that define brake window openings in sides of the bolster. One or more cores are inserted into the mold and a molten material is poured into the mold to thereby case the bolster.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a side frame of a rail car, where the side frame includes a pair of pedestals for mounting wheel sets, includes providing a side frame pattern for forming a drag portion and a cope portion of a mold. Cores that define an interior region of a cast side frame are also provided. The side frame pattern and the cores are configured to constrain a spacing between the pair of pedestals to within about ±0.038 inches.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a side frame mold for casting a side frame of a railway car truck includes forming a drag and a cope portion of a mold from a casting material to define an exterior surface of a drag portion and cope portion, respectively, of the side frame. The mold includes a portion for casting the pedestal jaw of the side frame. The drag and the cope portions are then cured.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a friction wedge of a rail car includes forming, in drag and cope portions of a mold, at least one cavity that defines at least some exterior features of at least one friction wedge. At least one core is inserted into the drag portion adjacent to the cavity. The core includes at least one surface configured to define a column face of the friction wedge. Rigging is formed in the drag and cope portion of the mold. The rigging includes a down sprue, at least one ingate, and at least one runner for directing molten material to the cavity. Molten material is poured into the mold to form the friction wedge casting. The friction wedge casting is removed from the mold. Rigging is removed from the friction wedge casting and the friction wedge casting is finished.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a friction wedge of a rail car includes forming, in drag and cope portions of a mold, at least one cavity that defines at least some exterior features of at least one friction wedge. At least one core is inserted into the drag portion adjacent to the cavity. The core includes at least one surface configured to define a column face of the friction wedge. Rigging is formed in the drag and cope portion of the mold. The rigging includes a down sprue, at least one ingate, and at least one runner for directing molten material to the cavity. Molten material is poured into the mold to form the friction wedge casting. The friction wedge casting is removed from the mold. Rigging is removed from the friction wedge casting and the friction wedge casting is finished.