In what era are ribbed wheels used,vs flat back
Ribbed back wheels are older. If memory serves they started to be phased out around WWII time. Someone else surely will have a more exact set of dates.
The ribbed wheels are all gone. They were part of the cast (iron?) wheels. The were there to cool down the wheels so they would not melt.
The new wheels are heavy steel, and be they cast or pressed (lion does not know) the yare much stronger, more stable, and knead knot the fins.
Fin.
ROAR
Ribbed wheels were made of cast iron. The ribs were to cool the wheels during prolonged brake application to prevent the iron from shattering.
Steel wheels do not need the cooling ribs. I believe the Government outlawed cast iron wheels in interchange service before or during World War II.
I recall seeing ribbed wheels at some point in my life. Maybe they where outlawed in interchange service at or near WWII, however, I was born in 1950 and probably wouldn’t have been sharp enough to notice until the late 50s early 60s.
The following qute is from JaBear and dated June 2nd, 2012:
"What about ribbed wheelsets versus smooth backed ones ? A common rule of thumb is that rolling stock from before World War ll has ribbed-back wheels and any car built since then has smooth- backed wheels.
Ribbed wheels were made of cast iron and the ribbing was to aid in cooling the wheels after long brake applications. The ribs also reinforced the hub area where most cast iron failures occured. Ribbed wheels were outlawed for interchange service in 1958.
Smooth-backed wheels are made of wrought or rolled steel and continue in service today. The advent of dynamic braking was a major factor in eliminating the need for the ribbed-back version, as the locomotive provided more braking power so the brakes on the cars weren’t worked so hard !!"
[quote user=“NP2626”]
I recall seeing ribbed wheels at some point in
I concur with NP2626. I was born in 1951 and can remember ribbed back wheels back in the early to mid 60’s.
Buckeyestation, I’m flattered that you felt my and JaBear’s statements where worth repeating 3 times![8-|]
lol
Rich
When all else fails. look at the interchange rules.
1958 - cast iron wheels were banned from new car construction
1970 - cast iron wheels(Southern Foundry) were banned from interchange
If anyone has additional info, please add.
Jim
I’ve replied on earlier threads with the following, pasted here again:
](https://forum.trains.com/t/freight-car-wheelsets/194640/1)