A couple of questions about friction bearings

Question

I know cars with older friction bearings were still all over the place when I started railroading in 1971 and have gone the way of the dodo.

In what year were cars equipped with friction bearings prohibited from being interchanged, their last nail in the coffin?

Does anyone have a guess as to some time, ball park, when they last were used in revenue service? (Exclusive of tourist lines.)

I am assuming that a lot of rolling stock just had new trucks under them, but does anyone have an idea about what percentage of rolling stock in service under the new guidelines? (What I must be asking is, how long did equipment that was new in the early sixties and late fifties run up and down the rails?)

Thanks for the help. The info must be out there, but I can't seem to find it.

Answer 1

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articl...

RAILROAD FRICTION BEARING - The evolution of the friction bearing in the railroad industry. These were mounted in journal boxes where lubrication could be continuously fed and most dirt and water were kept out. Origin of the term ‘hot box’ detector. These were popular until the late 60’s when conversions to anti-friction were popular. AAR rules no longer allow their use in interchange service. Requires high maintenance. High friction.

might be some helpful info. here

Answer 2

Interesting question, I have wondered the same thing myself. When I started working, there were carmen walking every inbound train with a packing hook and oil can.

Now people dont even know what those are.

Funny, I dont remember getting old.