16th August 2010

The photo shows a completed trailing truck axlebox, these have required a great deal of work to return them to a serviceable condition. All of the sliding surfaces had been repaired in the past but were badly worn, the wear plates on the sides needed complete renewal.

Once these were removed it was found that the axlebox itself was in a poor state, being bent and worn thin in parts. New 8 mm thick wear plates were carefully attached with weld, then both sides machined back to the size given on the original drawings.

This has resulted in a very much stronger (and heavier!) axlebox, which should see many more years of service.

The sides of the axlebox with the wear plates, slide up and down between the axlebox guides - see the 6th August page.