Hola…
Seen several…well many covered hoppers lately, some new looking, some older that have bright blue painted caps on the wheel bearings. No specifiic roadname noticed. Any significance to this?
Thanks
Dan
Roller caps are blue when there new.
That indicates that the bearings are new. If the cars were older ones, the bearings have just been replaced. Possibly the wheels were worn and replaced.
Even on some of the older cars, the wheel and bearing have been replaced with a blue cap on it. I’ve noticed that for couple of years on the newer cars
Thanks. Thats what I suspected.
Dan
I’d look into this at work a little more if my perspective were that of the lowly pin-puller. However, I see things from a higher vantage point that doesn’t allow me to read the bearings on the cars.
I should point out that I’ve also seen green ones. Therefore, I get the feeling that the color may be indicative of something such as the manufacturer of the bearings.
Bennco bearings, replacing old bearings…shops paint the bearing cap so it is easy to reconize the bearing has been replaced…some shops use yellow, some red, some green…I have noticed a lot of the blue caps on a lot of hoppers, might be a replacement or maintainance program.
All the “new” blue ones I have seen were Bennco…
I suppose these aresn’t subject to the same laws banning painted couplers? These things need to be in good shape like couplers too…
The part being painted isn’t the actual bearing but a cover or “cap” over the bearing. This does not obscure anything that needs to be inspected regularly. A coupler is the item that is stressed by the pulling and pushing forces, as well as impacted during coupling, etc. Cracks in the coupler could be obscured by painting.
THe painted caps are for brand of bearings , I have a list explaining the colors but right now I can seem to find it , it is probably in my locker at work . When inspecting the outside of the bearings we are looking loose or missing bolts , and bent or broken locking tabs , so paint is not an issue .