Page 173 - 39. MRH13-05-May2013-P

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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