Page 85 - 39. MRH13-05-May2013

43
42: The final development of the Barber Stabilized
design, this S-2 truck was self-aligning and spring-
plankless. In this view a friction wedge spring can be
seen behind the left front main spring. Note that this
truck was made by American Steel Foundries under
license from the Standard Car Truck Co.
42
43: Though battered and long out of service, this 70-
ton Barber S-3 truck has the friction wedge pockets of
the Barber Stabilized design visible inside the bolster
casting and the large journal boxes, longer wheelbase,
and six spring cluster that were characteristic of 70-
ton trucks.
Freight Car Trucks - 17
44: A typical truck of ASF A-3 Ride Control design,
which was first introduced in the mid-1940s and rapidly
become the most popular freight car truck on North
American railroads. Distinctive features were tong travel
springs (note that the inner springs are clearly visible)
and the bulge at the bottom of the side frame which
enclosed the lower part of the spring package.
44
45: A 70-ton version of the ASF A-3 design with 5'8"
wheelbase. The triangular pockets for the friction
wedges between the side frame and bolster are
apparent inside the bolster. What was different from the
Barber Stabilized design was that, instead of separate
friction wedge springs, the small springs inside the
outer main springs applied pressure to the wedges.
45
index contents
MRH-May 2013