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49
See previous page for caption.
50
Caboose trucks
Cabooses were easy on trucks, as they were lightly-loaded
and received regular maintenance, but good riding qualities
were, for obvious reasons, desirable. In the first quarter of
the 20th century, most cabooses rode on arch bar or Andrews
trucks with elliptical leaf springs (51). Then, in the 1920s, the
Bettendorf Swing Motion caboose truck was developed. This
truck improved riding qualities and durability by combining
cast steel integral-journal-box side frames with leaf springs
Freight Car Trucks - 19
51
51: Prior to the mid-1920s, most cabooses rode
on arch bar trucks with elliptical leaf springs, as
shown here. The problems with arch bars when
not consistently maintained were not an issue with
lightly-loaded caboose trucks which never went off
line, and the leaf springs provided damping action to
reduce excessive jolts and bounces.
52
52: In the 1920s, Bettendorf's swing motion caboose
truck was a major step forward in riding qualities
for cabooses. It featured cast steel side frames with
integral journal boxes, leaf springs, and a swing
motion bolster.
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MRH-May 2013