The point (Or part) where the truck attaches to the carbody, is the "bolster" on the truck OR on the carbody? THEN, what is the corresponding point called? Or in other words, is the "bolster" part of the truck or part of the body? Thanks, Tom G.
Tom, As I understand the nomenclature, the answer to your question is ..... yes. The center supporting cross member in the truck assembly is known as the truck bolster. The truck side frames ride on the bolster, essentially floating on it's ends, supported by the truck spring package. The car frame cross member that the truck rests on is known as the body bolster. It spans the width of the car's frame and uses a king pin to center the truck bolster on the body bolster. In most cases, the car's weight, the bolster bearing faces, and the length of the king pin is all that secures the car to its trucks. Somewhere there must be a diagram showing all of this. Ken
The part of the car frame that transfers the weight of the car to the truck is called the body bolster. It runs from one side of the car frame to the other above the truck. The corresponding part of the truck is called the truck bolster. This link takes you to a drawing of a truck bolster; http://www.google.com/patents?id=R_yHAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4 The bolster on the underside of the car looks very similar. Oops, It looks like Ken answered the question while I was trying to find drawings.
LOL...What came first, the chicken or the egg. Oh wait, that was in the rant! thread. Good question. Since the bolster was manufactured with the trucks and fitted to the car builders specification, the correct answer would be, that the bolsters, car frame and truck receivers, belong to the truck, and are a separate entity. However, just as Keith explained, the top section is the body bolster, and the lower is the truck or receiving bolster. The bolsters come with the trucks, to be fitted to the car.
Ken pretty much nailed it. Here is a link to some more diagrams. Scroll between pages to see both the body and truck bolsters. There is a good diagram of a friction bearing assembly as well. http://armytransportation.tpub.com/TR06756/TR067560053.htm
Heck, I've got a photo for you. I dropped my favorite Westerfield kit 1909 gondola 4' to the concrete and you can really get a good view of bolster now. As I heard it hit the floor I used some more railroader terms.
