Ever wondered how a traction motor mounts to the trucks under the locomotive.
Yes, I have thought about that. Interesting pics…thanks for posting…
Ed: Interesting detail shots!
Hope you or your crew[:-,] weren’t responsible for the truck’s tear-downs? [:'(]
Stay Cool!
Looked to be a Normal Truck Rebuild as part of a Scheduled Time Schedule. As much Hard Service as those TM’s see with the Port RR in houstan they more than likely keep a few spares around. When you wonder is if you see a Brand new Traction Motor going onto a truck that has not been Overhauled. this truck looks like it has been Overhauled. Correct me if I am wrong Ed.
Awesome that’s terrific
Where do the soda cans go? [:-,]
I believe those are the split bronze bearing halves that comprise the bearing that allows the motor to hang onto the turning axle. Basically the axles move up and down on their springs in relation to the truck frames, and the motor has to move with the axle because it is geared to the axle, and the gears must remain meshed with each other.
There is also another mechanical stop feature there to prevent the motor from turning on the axle when it tries to turn the axle. I have never seen exactly how that stop feature is set up.
…Interesting pictures, Ed…There appears to be quite a tight fit for the assembly’s suspension & T motor fasteners. The pinion gear that drives that ring gear on the axle must be behind the unit or removed.
Ed Benton;
Yup, normal rebuild, this is scheduled.
It has been 15 years for major rebuilds on them, other than normal "running repairs "and bearing replacement.
Hope I am responsible for some of the wear and tear on them, after all it is my job to run and gun with the locomotives!
Mookie,
Bucyrus has your answer; the soda cans are the internal bearings for the motor to ride the axel.
Bucyrus, the motor is allowed a inch or so rotation before it come up against the stops, I will try and get a better shot on that feature.
The square plate on top is a cover for the blower inlet that blows cool air into the traction motor.
Q, the pinion gear is on the back side, or the center bolster side.
In both photos, it would be on the right side rear of the motors.
I must confess that behind the scenes, Ed has spent many e-mails, lots of gray hair and lots of patience trying to teach me about traction motors.
I won’t even pretend to know much more than where they are and what they do, but not for lack of teaching on his part. I thought I had the bearings worked out, but now I can add this information to all my vast ignorance.
[swg]
Mookie,
The traction motors have outside bearings, Timken or Brenco roller bearings, bigger versions of the wheel bearing on your car.
They also have inside bearings, the two halves fit over the axel shaft and allow the axel to spin onside the motor, and support the motor on the axel at the same time.
The outside bearings are the ones you can see trackside, with a bolt on cover.
Thanks, Ed for posting the photos![8D]
I don’t think that I have ever seen quit the details that your pictures have presented.
Pretty interesting stuff![tup][tup]
…Do the bronze axle bearings need and or have a lubricating supply when in operation…? How long can those bearings last…? I realize the axle journal that turns inside of them does not reach high surface speed.
Quentin,
The weight of the locomotive rides on the outer roller bearings, the bronze bearings only support the weight of the traction motor.
They have a oil bath set up, somewhat permanent, the portion of the traction motor they are in is also a reservoir.
I assume that they are changed out whenever the wheel set has to be changed as the new axel will be bigger than the worn one and like an automobile crank, some are turned under and some mic out over sized, so the bearings would have to be “matched” to the axel.
Modelcar see that latch on the Left side of the pic that is the Hinged cover for the Oil Bath System. Called a Buddy that works for IL Railnet in their so called shop it holds about 2 gallons. When you here someone say TM fire or cooked a set of Traction motors what happened is they burned the seals out and the oil Flashed into a fire. Also that is why alot of times you will see the underside of a Locomotive looking so greasy the Truicks a leaking a bit of Oil.
He told me the worst part is if you get a hogger that ignores the Shorttime rating and then Burns the Brass bearing into the Axle He has seen it happen and he wanted to Strangle that hogger. Cost them a TM Case and an Axle and a Gear set. He was sitting in the yard and burned the rail even trying to move a train taht was to heavy and just threw it into Notch 8.