Altamont Press Discussion Board :: Discussion :: Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?

Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?

Author: SP5103

Date: 03-25-2019 - 21:43

>Looks like they use shims to adjust gauge. And the wheel has to be pressed off a hollow axle.

The shims aren't used to "adjust gauge". Wheels are pressed off, appropriate shims put in place, wheels pressed back on to meet back to back specification. I think the shims are to help keep from pressing the wheel too tight. IIRC - SP actually pressed the center axle sets of their SD9s a little tight to lessen wheel wear and derailments, though I have never seen a mechanical spec or instruction on that.

>Are Hollow axles even FRA compliant?

Bigger issue is trying to find someone willing to press new wheels on them. Since these are for broad gage, the axles are longer than normal. I know of one parked for this reason.

Besides the bolsters being wider to allow for the sideframes to be further apart, the brake rigging has to be adjustable to allow the brake shoes to properly line up with the wheels depending on gage. On some GE units for United Fruit that were 36/42", the brake hangers are mounted on a plate, and the plate can be unbolted from the top of the truck and slid into the proper position where holes are already drilled for them. Add/subtract pipe between the brake cylinders and you've got it made.

Rather than a "MRS-1" (seems GE did not use this designation on their Alco built designs), a better choice might be the BLH/Whitcomb(Davenport) RS4TC. Diagram shows them as 13-4 tall and 9-6 wide, #4001 and over should be the multi gage units?

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Subject	Written By	Date/Time (PST)
How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?	HUTCH 7.62	03-25-2019 - 18:20
Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?	synonymouse	03-25-2019 - 18:59
Re: You just do a search on variable gauge trains? And, dig through it, there's lots there.	BOB2	03-25-2019 - 20:32
Re: You just do a search on variable gauge trains? And, dig through it, there's lots there.	HUTCH 7.62	03-25-2019 - 21:00
Re: You just do a search on variable gauge trains? And, dig through it, there's lots there.	SBN	03-27-2019 - 20:22
Re: You just do a search on variable gauge trains? And, dig through it, there's lots there.	Peter	03-26-2019 - 10:13
Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?	Berg	03-25-2019 - 20:25
Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?	H	03-25-2019 - 20:51
Re: How does one change the gauge on an MRS-1 to Bechtel gauge?	SP5103	03-25-2019 - 21:43

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SP5103 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >Looks like they use shims to adjust gauge. And
> the wheel has to be pressed off a hollow axle. 
> 
> The shims aren't used to "adjust gauge". Wheels
> are pressed off, appropriate shims put in place,
> wheels pressed back on to meet back to back
> specification. I think the shims are to help keep
> from pressing the wheel too tight. IIRC - SP
> actually pressed the center axle sets of their
> SD9s a little tight to lessen wheel wear and
> derailments, though I have never seen a mechanical
> spec or instruction on that.
> 
> >Are Hollow axles even FRA compliant?
> 
> Bigger issue is trying to find someone willing to
> press new wheels on them. Since these are for
> broad gage, the axles are longer than normal. I
> know of one parked for this reason.
> 
> Besides the bolsters being wider to allow for the
> sideframes to be further apart, the brake rigging
> has to be adjustable to allow the brake shoes to
> properly line up with the wheels depending on
> gage. On some GE units for United Fruit that were
> 36/42", the brake hangers are mounted on a plate,
> and the plate can be unbolted from the top of the
> truck and slid into the proper position where
> holes are already drilled for them. Add/subtract
> pipe between the brake cylinders and you've got it
> made.
> 
> Rather than a "MRS-1" (seems GE did not use this
> designation on their Alco built designs), a better
> choice might be the BLH/Whitcomb(Davenport) RS4TC.
> Diagram shows them as 13-4 tall and 9-6 wide,
> #4001 and over should be the multi gage units?

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