Page 73 - 39. MRH13-05-May2013

with retainer bars at the bottom to hold them in alignment.
One advantage of this arrangement was that Andrews side
frames could be applied to existing arch bar trucks using the
original bolsters, journal boxes, and wheelsets – a significant
economy for car owners.
The earliest Andrews trucks had L-section side frames and slop-
ing one-piece journal box retainer bars (7). These were soon
followed by T-section castings and short journal box retainers
bolted to lugs cast onto the side frames (8). Next came U-section
side frames (9 and 10). Later U-section versions of the Andrews
truck, made in 40-, 50- and 70-ton versions, were applied to all
of the 100,000 freight cars built for the United States Railway
Administration during World War I (11). The Andrews design
continued to be widely used through the mid-1920s, and lasted
on some cars in revenue service through the 1960s.
7
7: The earliest Andrews trucks had L-section side
frames and sloping one-piece journal box retainer bars.
Many car owners favored the Andrews design because
the cast steel side frames could be applied to existing
arch bar trucks, re-using the existing journal boxes,
wheelsets. and bolsters. Note the oak lower spring
seats, often used on early 20th century trucks.
Freight Car Trucks - 5
8
8: A T-section Andrews truck. By this time, the journal
box retainer bars were shorter and bolted to bosses
cast onto the side frame, rather than to the bottom of
the side frame. The plate on the end of the bolster was
a later addition.
9
9: The Andrews design progressed to U-section side
frames, as shown in this example. Again, note the oak
shim between the springs and spring plank.
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MRH-May 2013