Another Bad Order Hopper Car with Wheel Set Bearing Failure

Our hot wheel detector caught this one. Bearings are sealed, they are either Timken or Hyatt.
2/20/21

[@dank2265]

I have watched a lot of rail road videos but none of them ever showed the Nitty gritty of the job. What makes your videos cool Is that they are really good training videos disguised as day in the life of a rail roader Keep doing it please

[@jjxtwo1]

Well said!

[@littlewingpsc27]

Yes, Well said!! I second that as well. Please keep them coming.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

@@littlewingpsc27 Thank you, your one of my best supporters! Appreciate that!

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

@@jjxtwo1 Thank you Jeff, really glad you like these, appreciate your great comments and support

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

@John S John you are right, there a lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes to running a railroad, I'm fortunate to be able to share some of this with you guys. Really appreciate your comments and for watching

[@richardboggs7777]

Thank you for sharing railroad I grew up in the coal country I have forgotten about how much I love the videos and it is a joy to watch the videos

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Richard for the nice comment. Glad you enjoyed and we appreciate your taking the time to watch. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@jamessimms415]

I’d buy a ‘That’s Railroading’ t shirt & better yet, a hat

[@ccrx6700]

LOL, hmmm, maybe gonna have think bout getting some made. 😊 appreciate your watching

[@donnydaniels5069]

Nice to have a ice breaker on that broom . N s c got rid of those safety hazard . ❄️

[@stephenrichard5191]

No fire snake used to defrost? So from the detect point how long did does it take train to stop at TR 0 and braking instead of emergency

[@ccrx6700]

Stephen great question, cars are loaded but climbing up grade on bout 1.5% grade, so to come to complete stop about 1/3 or so mile. Remember also that he is traveling thru 2 curves which adds to the resistance which helps slow train down

[@ccrx6700]

Yep, have also used snake to de thaw switches and crossings

[@channelsixtysix066]

That looked like it must have got red-hot. What sight that would have been. This is the kind of rail videos I like. The more technical side of operations.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Thank you, really glad you enjoyed watching sir, seen several on fire in the past but once the grease burns off, fire is gone, wish I had a phone in past that had a video feature so I coulda taped it, and hopefully for railroads sake, I will never get to do it again.

[@channelsixtysix066]

@@ccrx-xu1wc Once the grease is gone and the fire goes out, does the remains of the bearing and housing still glow because of friction? That was the impression I got from past incidents. Axle-box overheating is a huge no-no in Australia, because of the risk of starting bushfires along the track in the summer. This despite clearing away plant material. I think that has happened several times in the past. Your videos are fascinating. I hope to see some more and binge watch a few. Cheers. 👍

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

@@channelsixtysix066 Yes sir it will glow for awhile till it cools down. We've had several fires along the track, non from bearing fires, all of them were caused by sparks from the loco engines. Had 1 fire really severe about 4 years ago, spread out over a 5 mile stretch, it wasn't one continuous fire for that length but a bunch of little fires scattered. Had the loco shuttle the fireman up track, those guys had a hard afternoon fighting the fires with brooms, most places couldn't get a water truck to.

[@channelsixtysix066]

@@ccrx-xu1wc Looking at that bearing housing, the color of it, suggests you could have cooked your dinner on it. The pinkish-orange scale just indicates a colossal temperature. I makes you wonder how that has affected the hardness of the steel. A series of little fires in Australia, quickly and catastrophically turn into huge bushfires within minutes. Something like you have described, would have got out of control in no time at all. I love trains, but I'm not involved in them. I'm not sure what strategies are employed to keep trains running in the summer months at the height of bushfire season. Nice of you to take the time to have conversation like this. Cheers.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

@@channelsixtysix066 Read about the huge forest fire they had here on the Druango & Silverton narrow gauge, it's a scenic. I put the link in for ya below. My buddy went out and rode it last year, he said a helicopter followed them all the way with a water bag. Also you can look up on web Union Pacific had a bearing catch fire year or so ago, I believe it was in Iowa, they stopped on a wooden bridge and dispatch would not allow them to move the train. Well it caught the bridge on fire. durangoherald.com/articles/353799

[@kens.3729]

There is a Lot on the Railroad and you’re teaching us a little bit at a time. Thanks for recording. 👍

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Ken, thank you, my pleasure, I do enjoy doing this and just totally shocking to me so many people watch them, that just amazes me to no end. But I do hope that folks will more realize there is a lot behind the scenes to running a railroad than just the train going up and down the tracks. Tons of minor and major stuff goes on behind the scenes to make that happen that many folks don't know about.

[@Elfnetdesigns]

We had frozen switching machines and points here the past couple days and had to resort to lighting them on fire to free them up. Bad situations is a train rolled over some of them and picked the points = derailments. All is fine though but they called me out because they thought it was IT and communications related faults rather than a mechanical issue. Since I lived in Montana for a few years and worked MRL They come to me about everything winterizing out there now.. I basically told them "Well since you don't have track heaters, find some grease and diesel and coat ONLY the metal moving parts and light it up. have guys monitor it and manually operate the switches, once its freed up put the fires out or let them burn out and you should be good to go." Nearly 30 switches in the yard and more out on the mainlines needed this treatment. busy past couple days since I volunteered to help and "supervise" rather than sit at home with cabin fever.. It's all good now since things are thawing out finally down here. I'm an IT and communications gut not a track crew guy but I know procedures and such. Like you say "That's Railroadin'" Hey you should get a shirt made that says "That's Railroadin'" on it. I bet people would buy them.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Great comment! Loved reading it. thats a lot of switches to maintain for sure, time you make one round thru them, it time to go back and start all over again. Hah Ha. I got 5 switches at the Harbor, 1 at mile post 8 and 2 at the prep plant so gotta do some traveling to get them all covered, but at least the truck has a good heater in it!!! Sent you an email with the logo, did you get it?

[@kainhall]

hey!!! i live in glasgow montana. and yup.... it gets cold out here . like, i still dont understand (or feel sorry) for the people in texas....... burning charcoal in their living room because it dropped to 40 degrees and they thought they were going to freeze to death..... . OH NO!!! A LIGHT CHILL!!!! IM GOING TO DIE!!!! . i do feel sorry for the folks who had their oxygen and other medical systems shut down..... thats not their fault but the idiots running their car with garage doors closed.... well.... thats just Darwinism in action!! . like.... even if you dont own a winter coat.... put on 2 or 3 pairs of pants..... and 3 to 6 T-shirts, one of which being long sleeved.... you might get a light chill..... but you arnt even going to get frostbite.... . . but ya.... as heartless as it may sound..... i have ZERO sympathy for people who killed themselves..... because they got a light chill, and panicked

[@kainhall]

my power got cut.... here in NE MT..... to help texas and while texas was 40 ABOVE...... we were 40 BELOW!!! . and 40 below can actually kill...... yet NO ONE died in montana despite having no power..... . again.... i thought Texas was the "biggest and toughest" state in the union.... but give them 60 degree weather, and they drop like flys (meanwhile.... im riding my motorcycle when it hits 60 above!!!)

[@kainhall]

and yes.... as you can tell..... im STILL pissed about having my power cut to help an "independent" power grid who is only independent because of corporate greed . and then received CORPORATE WELFARE!!!!!...... but all their politicians try to take away welfare for normal people or flee to Cancun.... . or pass a pay raise for themselves..... 6 times......(aka every time it came up for a vote) yet vote NO! 15 times to raise the min wage AKA the "Mr. turtle" mitch Mc connel . i brought out extra blankets for my 86 year old grandmother..... in a snow storm.... because everyone is Texas is a F-word-ing R word.... sorry.... i mean everyone in Texas is a fucking retard.... gotta be politically correct now days....

[@bsimpson6204]

When it got really cold we had point machines fail because the grease inside seized up. Sometimes we put paraffin soaked rags under the point machine and lit them up. The heat would soak into the case iron casings and keep them going till dawn when it might warm up a little.

[@gutterguru7158]

Dave the hot wheel detector is doing its job. That defective wheel change can be done on a RIP Track in about 1hr with 3 men( one in the crane and 2 on the ground). Opposed to a derailment that can take several hours and several men. Good video

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Yes sir, problem being on the siding track is getting the crane to be able to have access, so we pull the car out on to the main where crane has room to set up, remember we are lifting a loaded car, so need a pretty hefty crane plus a big forklift to move the old and new truck set in place, We have room on the main at our siding to do this, we don't on the siding itself. Thank you for your comment and for watching.

[@jaysrailroadcorner5403]

A wheel change on the ramp usually takes about 15 minutes with two guys.

[@daylightdave9405]

As a retired UP engineer I always wanted to operate sum of the MOW equip. we would run by. Neat to see the other side! Btw burned a couple fingers after we set off a hot box... oooh I found the bad bearing the hard way! David BAC V RR

[@ccrx6700]

Awesome David, bet you got lot great RR stories you could share. Thanks for watching.

[@daylightdave9405]

Thxs for the response! I subscribed and over time I'll share them w you and your audience.. I think I had my tempilstik in my pocket too! 🤪

[@malcolmmarzo2461]

With East Palestine, this is a very topical video. Wonder if roller bearings are so reliable that maintenance gets deferred. Similar to the situation with radial tires. Blowouts are so rare that many drivers nowadays tend to skip checking the air pressure. In the old bias tire days we were very much aware of keeping an eye on our tires.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write in and share your thoughts Malcolm. I do believe you are right in the reliability thing! I am guilty of not checking tire pressure on my truck too, got an idiot light to do that for me..... sad to say..... We do appreciate your visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@joeparker282]

In the early times , this was called a journal box, had a box with a lid,filled with 80/140 with a. Rag in it.

[@gutterguru7158]

@joe parker That’s correct still use hopper cars with journal box inside of US Steel Gary Works. Railcars with journal boxes aren’t allowed on main line track anymore.

[@johnniewelbornjr.8940]

Got to watch a young guy repacking one of the old journal boxes in Hill City, SD one day during the off-season at the museum there (probably where the term "hot box" came from, I'm guessing). Hard to imagine how labor intensive the pre-rollerbearing days were.

[@KB-gs8zi]

Sir Joe !!! Yepper !!!! That was back in the day when they used ""BABBIT BEARINGS "" ,,Way b/4 Ball or Roller bearings were thought of !!! ""KEEP IT SAFE ""!!!! USE to work in a "POWERHOUSE "" that had ""BABBIT BEARINGS "" on the ""OLD"" Ammonia Compressors for the ""ICEHOUSE "" that produced 400 lb. ice blocks !!!! Way back in time to my whole lot younger days !!!

[@jamessimms415]

Caused a lot of bad derailments including the 1943 Congressional Limited derailment @ Frankfort Junction, PA killing 79 & injuring around 112. 72 years later in 2015, the Northeast Regional derailed in almost the same spot, killing 8 & injuring around 200.

[@alcopower5710]

Very informative video.... thanks for sharing 👍

[@johnsmart964]

These videos are fascinating, thank you for bringing these to the people. Roller bearings are so much better than the old plain bearings, they used to run hot a lot more frequently than roller bearings. These detectors are so good at alleviating serious incidents. The point you make of cautiously bringing the train to a halt is a good one, as you say, you just do not know what the problem is until you examine it.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you John, appreciate your post here. A good part of railroadin is common sense. Much easier to derail a car with an emergency brake application than it is to derail in a slow controlled stop. Thank you for watching sir

[@ericsikma4764]

EEK! The word "fire" triggered one: Smaller scale but a few years ago there was this truck towing an RV trailer toodling down the Richardson Highway somewhere between Delta Junction and Fairbanks, Alaska. The vehicle behind flags him down while passing and asks, "Do you know your trailer's on fire?" RV guy pulls over. The bearing disintegrated and the wheel burned. He never felt it. It was huge. He limped it into Fairbanks and, needless to say, we got rid of all of those cheap-o factory bearings and replaced them with Timkens and Mobile-1 synthetic grease. After getting the guy a new wheel, we put the old one into what we called "The Hall of Shame". The rim even with the bolt pattern was all that was left. The rest of it is probably STILL there in MANY, MANY burned pieces scattered about the woods and wilderness of interior Alaska. That was roughly in 2012.

[@olentangy74]

Great videos on the side of railroading the the outsider never gets to see. Thank you for doing these.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Thank you, really glad you enjoy watching

[@markfuller9886]

I worked for a company that made the griffin pouring tube and stopper to make the wheels for the trian cars. I know all about this but not of any other parts of the cars. Nice video. Thanks

[@michael7423]

Wow first time I’ve seen a roller bearing that bad, I’m glad you didn’t have worse damage, stay safe and keep warm!

[@ccrx6700]

Michael, got a follow up vid on this one coming out soon you'll want to watch. We've had worse, but those were way back before we installed the detector. Thanks for watching

[@williamjefferies-it9mg]

@@ccrx6700 as a Car inspector one would be seeing a many baring's gone bad, some looking liked a pencil being sharpened..

[@curtyanok6878]

You make some of the most interesting videos about trains on the net. I've learned a lot. Great job.

[@ccrx6700]

Curt, thank you very much, really glad you are enjoying them sir. I fyou haven't seen them, there is a lot more on my channel. Do appreciate your watching

[@davewhite5258]

Very interesting videos, watching from Nova Scotia

[@ccrx6700]

Dave, thank you glad you liked it

[@crackerjack4833]

1:30 Yall got a heat wave and I am in Florida begging the Canadians to come get their weather out of my back yard and take it back north 🤣🤣😂 All in good clean fun 😆 Thanks for the great vid!!!!

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

you are welcome, and I'm begging also....LOL

[@csxandnsrailfan]

Once, I heard on my scanner, was a NS 316 that stopped due to a hot bearing And another time, (also NS) there was a bad order bulkhead flatcar on the siding in Wickliffe Ohio by Lloyd Road (east end of the siding)

[@ccrx6700]

That's pretty cool to hear that stuff on the scanner isn't it CSX & NS Railfan. Really appreciate your watching and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@tomt9543]

The first thing that caught my eye on that bearing was the Alemite fitting in the center of the end cap. I recently retired after 41 years as a freight car repairman for Norfolk Southern/ Southern Railway, and it’s literally been at least two decades since I’ve seen a greaseable roller bearing like that! When I first started in 1979, all roller bearings had the grease fitting and every so many years (I’ve forgotten how many-I think 3) by AAR rules we had to pump a specific amount of grease into the bearing, the amount varied by size. Largely due to testing done by the Norfolk & Western, the NFL, or “non-field lubricated”, bearings were adopted as the new standard on American railroads, and in a relatively short period of time the end caps with grease fitting disappeared! I’d be curious to know how long this bearing has gone since it’s last refill! NS has hot box detectors roughly every 10 miles along their mainline, and it’s unbelievable how many times a bearing will pass a detector and be in normal range, then get stopped at the next one and the bearing be completely disintegrated! Been out on a bunch of Derrick (big hook) trips over the years where the journal (axle end) wrung off due to this and caused derailments! Are these cars in dedicated service between two points on the same railroad?

[@railroadjim]

Not to answer for the man, but it is an insular captive railroad, with no rail connections to the outside world. The cars run back an forth between the mine and the unloader. Interesting observation about the grease fitting. Not being a railroader, I had assumed that all roller bearings were sealed without a grease fitting. I learned something today!

[@tomt9543]

@@railroadjim I was going to question if this was a non-interchange railroad, but I rambled on so long that I decided not to! I sure don’t want to sound like a troll, it’s just that this stuff was my livelihood for so many years, and I enjoy conveying trivial-useless knowledge! Ha!

[@ccrx6700]

@@railroadjim Thanks, no problem sir. The grease fitting has us all puzzled too. A good many of our end caps do not have, so go figure, no one yet has been able to explain why they are there on some and not others. Appreciate your comments and for watching

[@ccrx6700]

Tom, excellent comment, read my reply to railroadjim please. Then answer me. Thank you. I thought all bearings on wheel sets were sealed. Im wondering if thats the case or are they using older end caps when rebuilding the wheel sets? I am really curious your thoughts sir

[@tomt9543]

@@ccrx6700 I would be inclined to think that whatever wheel shop touched that wheel set last decided that the wheel tread just needed turned to new specs, and felt like the bearings were ok. At the start of my career in 1979, right up until the end, all the wheel sets we removed were shipped to shops that would either turn or replace the wheels, and the roller bearings were always removed and replaced with either reconditioned or new ones. When the AAR legalized NFL bearings, the drilled and threaded end caps were scrapped when rebuilt, and blank caps put in their place on the reconditioned units. Of course all new bearings had blanks. This started way back in the 80’s sometime. I don’t know how y’all handle defective wheel sets, but since you don’t have to be concerned with interchange rules, maybe the policy is just to resurface the tread if it’s a slid flat or similar defect, and let the bearings go unless there’s a lot of slack in them! I’d wager that the wheel set in question has been in service a long time!

[@Rocketman88002]

14° F is balmy weather! It was less than -7° F for over a week here in Nebraska and that was in the day. One week it was average -20° F with wind chills down to the -30's below!

[@AlanMullen-w1f]

Railroading Four sure ! Always Something. Sure looked ❄️🥶 .

[@ccrx6700]

It wouldn't be a normal day here if something didn't break down or go wrong Alan.... :-) Glad you could take the time to watch the show.

[@ianthompson5197]

I enjoyed watching the video of the engineer talking about the freight car with a faulty bearing & walking along the track to the point & point switch. Good job. Ian Thompson.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Ian, thank you very much. FYI, i am not engineer, but track maintenance. We have 17 miles track and there are only 2 of us who do track maintenance, but anyway, thank you for watching sir.

[@CardboardSliver]

I remember my grandpa worked for BR back when BR was a thing, and I remember getting to cab ride in a Class 50. We had a hot box on an old 10 tonne wagon, and it caught fire!

[@ccrx6700]

Sweet comment! my that must have been an experience, thanks for sharing

[@ssweeps]

Made in the USA by the axle company and the steel forger.

[@ccrx6700]

We like US made products, however the bearings may be put together in US, but it's anybody's guess where they get the bearing parts from, those parts only the bearing maker knows where they come from and I've tried to find out where bearing parts come from, but haven't had any luck in doing that.

[@donaldwittmuss6079]

Any chance to video the car repair...

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Yes sir Donald, will do if I am working that day, thank you so much for watching and for your comments, much appreciated

[@FortWorthMobileMechanic]

Im sure folks would like to have you explain the dragging equipment detector to. Love your videos keep up the great work

[@ccrx6700]

Will make a point do that in future, thanks for the tip

[@rossbryan6102]

CAUGHT IT AT A GOOD TIME, NO DERAILMENT KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!! 👍👍

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Bet that made a heck of a noise while it was rolling.

[@Bassotronics]

On a side note....I Love that beautiful copper color it got after it burnt. On a serious note... Glad nothing severe happened.

[@ccrx6700]

You are right Bassotronics, very glad nothing got de railed or anyone hurt. The hot wheel detector caught this one. Thank you very much for visiting with us and may you have a really good day my friend.

[@FlyboythaACE]

Gobi heat makes some nice gear if you have a chance to check them out. I haul gasoline and have had to use my jacket and gloves for almost two months now...game changer for winter ops.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks, will check them out

[@philiphorner31]

If the EPA ran a railroad it would never move.

[@ccrx6700]

LOL you're probably right in that Philip. Thanks for stopping by and taking in the video tonight my friend.

[@kennkrizsanitz7820]

rough day. warmer weather coming. would love to see the repair if possible. hang in there Dave catch ya later.

[@ccrx6700]

Kenn, im ready for some sun ! If im working that day i will do for ya

[@Sugarmountaincondo]

Thank you Sir for the very educational and informative video's, a gold mine for me as a learning tool, just great so much !! The other side of railroading... I get it !! Thank You again ! :)

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Eric, really nice of you to write in with the swell comment, we do appreciate your watching

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

Just from the visual appearance, you can tell that the entire journal assembly and axle forging was red-hot, if not hotter. I'd be concerned that the excessive heat might negatively impact the steel's metallurgical grain structure, and leave it more brittle and fracture-prone. But maybe I worry too much.

[@ccrx6700]

Good point Michael! That truck set was removed and sent back to the shop for a complete inspection and rebuild, so don't lose anymore sleep over it...LOL Appreciate your watching sir

[@davewallace8219]

your concerns are valid!!

[@ronaldpiper4812]

If it is same thing I hear here. 300 Axel mile post xx no defects out ? Every train. I hear a lot here but had no clue. Now I know. All the track warrents and this box has this checked and what problem is gates not working ect. Learning a lot. So thankful

[@Boilermaker-Rick]

Go get in your truck Dave and warm up. Thanks for braving the cold to make the video.

[@greggarner2634]

they have emp generations locomotive cat make the locomotive 10.000 hr power some are 12000 hr power

[@ssweeps]

Nice catch!

[@ccrx6700]

We are lucky the hot wheel detector caught this one and we side tracked it before it could de rail on us Steve.

[@trainjunky247]

That broom would be perfect for my 6 cats , bathroom area!!..Theres always that one cat!!🤣

[@ccrx6700]

LOL 🐈

[@douro20]

I'd hate to have to be the one to swap a bogie out on a fully loaded car...especially in that kind of weather.

[@ccrx6700]

Didn't go bad at all. We had some help. Took a whole lot longer to set the crane up. You may enjoy watching this video where we are taking the bogie out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4SwpWufiLJ2q9U

[@TriGogglin]

Thanks for freezing for us, great vid on the bering burn out.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Your welcome, but sure was nice to get back in my warm truck, it does have a good heater! lol

[@stewiesoquid.2759]

Dats a lotta rail road & a lotta brain freeze!!

[@richardbeck5035]

Show us that pencil point axel please.

[@capttom7772]

On your "SPIKE" video I forgot to subscribe......now corrected with a "Like"!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you sir, appreciate your watching

[@johnblair8146]

The axle can actually break. In 1957, there was a fatal wreck in Syracuse, NY where an axle broke and destroyed an overpass. During the clean up/investigation it was noted in the ICC report that the sideframe that had the hot box was never found!!!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Interesting John, thanks for sharing that and for viewing the video sir

[@trailwayt9H337]

My engineer sir. This video is experience with Beautifully by your track inspectioning job on ice in winter season.. ❤️🧡💛💚

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for visiting with us Thomas, hope you wore your warm clothes to watch! Certainly appreciate all the great support my friend.

[@25mfd]

now this is a VERY good vid in light of the recent NS ohio derailment... reports say a broken wheel was the cause, supported by a video of the car throwing sparks and bumping down the tracks about 20 miles before the defect detector... looks like this car was headed for the same fate but for the defect detector

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment 25mfd. We really appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the presentation my friend. Glad you enjoyed.

[@littlewingpsc27]

Wow. Glad your detector caught that before the whole truck axle failed. That would have made a huge mess. Would the brakes even work on that wheel set if the bearing on one side was that far gone? No propane switch heater for that siding? Not used that much? From your videos, it looks like it gets plenty of use.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Wow, a switch heater would be nice, they are mostly used for transit tho, here on our little railroad I am the switch heater...lol, track broom and a propane tank with a rosebud tip. You are right, it woulda made a huge mess if not caught, before the detector was in place we had several bad bearings occur that really tore up some track and turnouts. Great move when they approved the money to purchase this detector, cost was $175,000 to install, but it has paid for itself several times over

[@terrypbug]

First day above freezing in 11 days here in Tulsa area it's wonderful.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Spring is coming, can't wait start cutting grass instead of snow plowing ....LOL

[@ericcoffedgp40]

Holy cow! That bearing looks like it must have made some noise when it failed!

[@ccrx6700]

Eric, im sure it did! Believe me i've seen far worse than this

[@ericcoffedgp40]

@@ccrx6700 I bet! Great video!

[@dougdoeright4196]

Seems they need to come up with a better bearing design. So much of the equipment that the RR's use is the same designs that have been around for a very long time with very little improvement. The last real improvement was when they switched from the channel box type bearing to the roller but even the roller type is prone to metal fatigue and breakage. Surly management doesn't think that burnt bearings and derailments are just a cost of doing business. Solving the problem would be more cost effective. My two cents!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Doug for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. There is certainly a need for improvement here. One big thing that is a huge drawback for our RR is it's all jointed track. That constant pounding on the joints is hard on bearings, along with the large amount of high degree curves we have, another stress on the bearings. Thank you for stopping by and checking out the video my friend.

[@Normal1855]

Not railroad related. But do they make anything, that goes directly on the wheels? I had a brake lock up, on my fifth wheel, and it almost caught fire. I've been trying to find something, to detect a hot wheel.

[@ccrx6700]

Good question Bob and sorry I don't have an answer but it makes good sense that someone would have that out there. Hope you find one. Appreciate your watching the video my good man.

[@catsbyondrepair]

Sealed bearings allways fail

[@tpobrienjr]

Do all of the hopper cars stay in your system, giving you a closed maintenance setup? Just curious...

[@ccrx6700]

That is correct Thomas, we do not interchange with any other RR. Thank you so much for paying us a visit and checking out the bearing failure. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@flynnstone3580]

Could this cause a train to disrail? Is this what happened in Ohio? What's your thoughts on what happened?

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it certainly could flynnstone. We will wait for the NTSB report on Ohio. There is a preliminary report posted on the community tab on my home page if you would like to read that about Ohio. Thanks for watching and writing in my friend.

[@Adam1nToronto]

5 and a half minutes too long.

[@billstobie4872]

Saw a new 'box' installed near a rr crossing I go over. Got curious what it was and its a propane fueled heater for a switch. The box makes the heat and the heat is carried to vital moving parts on the switch via a low profile ducting system between the rails to insure it can move by melting snow and ice on the switch. I thought that was pretty innovative

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Bill for sharing that info with us. NS around here has some of those propane fired switch heaters, they are neat. Really appreciate your dropping in on us and checking out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@ocsrc]

Just 3 months ago it was cold and snowy Now it's been the hottest May and June EVER with temps in the 90s half the days

[@ccrx6700]

And did you notice that this was CYMX 20? That car is also the first car to derail if you watched that video, it not here is the link. That car bad luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqvGh3yDYtekgtE

[@bsimpson6204]

First the axle box would set on fire as the oil and grease burned, when it stopped burning it would continue heating up till the axle end melted off. Back in the day it was the signlmans job to watch the trains pass looking for hot axle boxes. When the boxes closed they brought in hot axle box detectors to act as the signalman eyes. This is in the UK btw.

[@ccrx6700]

I've seen the grease fires several times and you are correct, that if not caught and kept on going the axle could and has several times here, get ground down to a point, like a cone and the end fall off with disastrous results for the track. Seen that happen here before we got the detector. After 2 torn up turnouts they finally decided to spend the money on a detector, a very wise move. Appreciate your writing in and for watching my good man

[@davidbass7593]

Without that detector that could have been a derailment good catch

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Yes sir David, that bearing would not have last another 8 miles to the Harbor terminal, it coulda been really ugly and costly

[@lawrencewheeler8868]

Notch 8!! Lol

[@mmholdings4662]

are these cars never inspected?

[@RBLUS_TY]

Chinese wheel bearing?

[@danherrmann8755]

Thanks. For showing. The problem. Later.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Dan, thank you for watching my friend.

[@Keith_Mikell]

E Palestine was a cone. Funny you said that 2 years ago. Much love big guy!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Keith for the very kind words. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend. May you have a most blessed day.

[@mow4ncry]

Well that wheel set is probably junk depending how far it rolled that way

[@ccrx6700]

Yep it went to the scrap yard i'm sure. Appreciate your watching the show

[@burnuts007]

Great channel very interesting stuff !

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you, glad you are enjoying the show

[@themanfromcabowabo1559]

Pretty hard to wear out a Timken bearing. Wonder if it’s been in there since 96.

[@ccrx6700]

Good question and one we will never know the answer to. Do appreciate your watching the video sir.

[@fireballxl-5748]

Another great video. Thank you again and God bless you.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for writing in and glad you enjoyed the video, we do appreciate your watching my friend.

[@taj1460]

Oops

[@marvsmoir701]

you mention that you use a crane to lift the car to remove the truck, i have see where the crew can use jacks qquick and cheap

[@ccrx6700]

Yes Marv some RR's do have portable jacks for that, we don't. We do have permanent jacks in our shop that will even pick up a loco. Thank you very much for watching and writing in my friend

[@dandrake1372]

Doesn’t matter what brand of bearings they all fail at some point.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes sir, metal under extreme use eventually fails. Thank you Dan for your common sense comment. We really appreciate your visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@ericschmidt7359]

Would it pay for company to invest in switch heaters?

[@ccrx6700]

I would like to see that Eric. Right now the switch thawing mechanism is me! Thanks for stopping by and taking in the video today my friend.

[@joemc111]

Dave looking at wheel bearings today. Too cold to be outside.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for watching the show and hope you stayed warm Joe.

[@shanepersons383]

Great vid pard love to learn about the ins n outs of Rail work 👍

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Shane, thank you, glad you liked it

[@ScorpioxA1]

A Seal leak all the oil drains out then the bearing overheat and melt even the axels heat up and melt like a melting bottle one can twist like you want to.

[@ccrx6700]

Way back before we got the hot wheel detector we've had bearings fail and the axle gotten eaten down to a cone, that was amazing to see. That detector has saved the day several times since we got it. Thanks for the input sir!

[@davidhiler3918]

Maybe it's time to do a complete bearing change on those old cars !?

[@ccrx6700]

There for sure is always something we can do to improve David. We do not have the equipment here to be able to change bearings, that requires a very high pressure press. Really appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@grandmasterpanda8006]

a heatwave at 19 lol.

[@s56505]

7 min for this?

[@andrewmontgomery8087]

Bearings from china ?

[@ccrx6700]

Andrew, they are either Timkin or Hyatt, i dont know where they get them from. Thank you for watching.

[@andrewmontgomery8087]

@@ccrx6700 I only asked because I've had bad experiences with automotive bearings from china.. twice..

[@ccrx6700]

@@andrewmontgomery8087 understand Andrew, j dont know if their web sites would say where the bearings are made, will have to look them up later. Now you got me really curious too!

[@jenniferlynnguggemos8515]

Hi Timken rail bearing employee here. We have 4 plants in the US so almost all bearings for rail are produced here in the us. We also do our own audits and investigation when there is bearing failure depending on the circumstances. @@ccrx6700

[@johnnycee5179]

Hi Dave, brrrr, 19 degrees?! Who is assigned to setting temperatures on those sensors? I'm not looking for a name but a title. As you probably know it was a sensor in Palestine that was either incorrectly set or failed.

[@ccrx6700]

The RR chief engineer and his staff, (engineering department not train engineer) that is is responsibility Johnny.

[@johnnycee5179]

@@ccrx6700 No sooner than I posted this I came across another one of your wonderful video's discussing this very topic. Thank you Dave, you're the best.

[@tundewillis3326]

I've seen a boxcar being pulled in the railyard with a wheel like this. Its was seized and was dragging sparks due to the bearing frozen up

[@supercuda1950]

Through what we all have learned from you we will soon be able to run your equipment. But with your work ethic your job is not in jeopardy. Besides, who would we learn from?

[@georgescott1180]

How do you report these things. I'll be watching a train at the crossing and a car will go by clunking like crazy and I wonder how it even made it in the line up. Can I alert anyone?

[@ocsrc]

Do you rent out that tower ? I am wondering if you might have ham radio groups that would want to use it. If you are close enough to the main line and they use ATCS , the ATCS Monitor ham group would be able to use it

[@ccrx6700]

Tower is dead meat, several ham operators have been interested in it her, but for whatever reason, it still here, I say sell it cause it worthless to us now. No ATCS her either

[@ocsrc]

@@ccrx6700 I wonder if the ham clubs would rent Space on the tower There must be a shack at the base they can house their equipment and run internet to.

[@raybin6873]

How soon after it being detected was it stopped? Looks like it ran quite some distance. Is this a "show stopper"...bringing train to a halt?

[@ccrx6700]

They are climbing about a 1.5% grade so after throttle being in run 8 is knocked off it takes about a quarter mile to stop completely. it went through the detector empty loads the 8 miles to the mine to get loaded, then another 8 miles back to here. hope that helps and thank you for watching Ray

[@raybin6873]

@@ccrx6700 Got it!👍

[@davenelson9253]

How could was it ? We had 30 below for 3 wks. striate, 45 today !

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

Great catch cause that looks like it got REAL hot.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

Yes it was, too bad I wasn't working that day or I coulda made vid of the bearing on fire, but hoping that it never happens again at least for the railroads sake

[@gravelydon7072]

@@ccrx-xu1wc Had the same thing happen on a trailer on the WVA TPK. Back when truckers wouldn't do more than 40 thru Beckley because the road was that bad. 3 miles from the rest area and the only thing keeping the wheel on that distance was the washer. Trailer was hauled on a roll back the last 125 miles to home. Bearing had destroyed itself but due to the design had not destroyed the axle. So picked up a new bearing and hub set, cut the old ones off and put on the new. On the way South, picked up a whole new axle at the manufacturer in Baxley, Ga. The trailer had about 50,000 miles on it at the time. Didn't trust the temper of the axle as I knew that it was hot.

[@mrsmrth322]

lol

[@davewallace8219]

it sounds like your hopper car truck bearings....are at the end of there life!

[@ccrx6700]

We have a good bit too many go bad Dave. May be a combination of our track with too many sharp degree curves causing high bearing stress. Thanks for tuning in to the show today.

[@davewallace8219]

@@ccrx6700 yes.. all you mentioned are causes...does the railroad have a service schedule...to swap out bearings...on a maitainance schedule! thanks dave! work safe!

[@Ratchet-strap-Garage]

A bad order ?? That wheel bearing is old as hell ! I used to work in a wheel shop. A guy can tell a new bearing from an old one

[@ccrx6700]

Perhaps so my friend, but not everyone has the experience you do sir, would be pleased if you could pass on some tips to help us further identify problem spots with these before they become serious

[@Ratchet-strap-Garage]

@@ccrx6700 That wheel bearing is old. Wheel bearings don't last forever. How are you going to call it a bad order or bearings / wheel sets?

[@cowbdave99]

Learn something new every time.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed my friend. Got a lot of really cool stuff coming out this spring so hope you have hit your notification bell to have You Tube keep you informed. We do appreciate your support of this channel.

[@gordonnelson6601]

Why are there two air lines between cars?

[@gutterguru7158]

Those air lines are used to run air test on the hopper cars to check for leaks and failed air brakes.

[@ccrx-xu1wc]

One line is used to dump the cars, other line is train brake pipe.Great question Gordon, thank you for watching

[@ocsrc]

What is that tower on the left in the distance ?

[@ccrx6700]

It's an old radio tower, no longer in use. Was for our RR radios

[@underwaterdick]

Walking down the four foot makes me cringe, but also doing it whilst filming is just so wrong to me. Very interesting video though, thank you. Have been watching a few of your videos.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you, glad you are enjoying watching them. I assume you are talking about 4 foot as being in between tracks? I understand your concern, so if this may ease that a bit, I have a hand held radio and am in constant contact with the train, if there was a train that would be near, then I would wait until it had passed.

[@underwaterdick]

@@ccrx6700 sorry, UK railway terminology there. Yes, the four foot is the space between the rails. I know that in your situation it was safe, hence why it makes me cringe and I wasn't criticising you 😁 Walking down the track is entirely discouraged by the industry here, as it has caused so many deaths. It is the path of last resort if there is no alternative. Then again, in some areas here you may have 8+ tracks aside, with points (Automated "switches") between all of them and a line speed of 90mph... You dont get much warning of a train coming, and you have NO idea which track it may suddenly end up on. Did I mention that my local area also has 750v DC third rail 🤣 I wish I had known what I was getting myself into with this job.

[@ccrx6700]

@@underwaterdick No problem sir, we are good. I can certainly understand and appreciate your situation also. You are absolutely right in where you were coming from. 3rd rail is dangerous, most people have no clue what it is. I have an engineer friend who runs New York City Transit with 3rd rail. This is a family friendly forum so I,m not going relay any of the stories he has shared but you can imagine i'm sure. Also I have no problem at all with anyone pointing out to me if they see something i might be doing that is unsafe. I,m almost 67 and want to go home in 1 piece! I never took your original comment as a criticism, only as a concern for me. It was well received on my end.

[@sunland801]

So very awesome information

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed Herman, thanks for watching sir

[@rustblade5021]

wow it got so hot it has mill scale on it,

[@ccrx6700]

Now that's HOT