Locomotive Retreads

[steamman]

Locomotive wheels are very expensive to make and maybe impossible to replace. Yet steel on steel wears them down. So what to do? Use steel rims called tires. They wear instead of the wheel. Replacing them is an interesting operation.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/fsac.1a34708/

Retiring a locomotive driver wheel in the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railway locomotive shops, Shopton, near Fort Madison, Iowa. The tire is heated by means of gas until it can be slipped over the wheel. Contraction on cooling will hold it firmly in place. Santa Fe R.R.

A brief youtube.

 

[JOHN42768]

Interesting procedure. Needed Johnny Cash singing in the background. "Ring of Fire"

 

[DaveBrt]

Lack of tires for retreading probably sidelined as many Confederate locomotives as all other maintenance issues combined. A couple of railroads tried to make their own, but found that it was very difficult to do. Tredegar made a few sets late in the war, when operating locomotives were more important than cannon.

 

[steamman]

Lack of tires for retreading probably sidelined as many Confederate locomotives as all other maintenance issues combined. A couple of railroads tried to make their own, but found that it was very difficult to do. Tredegar made a few sets late in the war, when operating locomotives were more important than cannon.

I thought the same thing. I hope to see if there are any related documents.

 

[DaveBrt]

I thought the same thing. I hope to see if there are any related documents.

There are some regarding the attempt to make tires and their failure on my site. It may take some digging, but they are there.

 

[Lubliner]

So these wheels were iron and had steel retreads put on them; how were they attached?
Thanks, @steamman.
Lubliner.

 

[steamman]

So these wheels were iron and had steel retreads put on them; how were they attached?
Thanks, @steamman.
Lubliner.

Heat shrink. Heat the rim until it expands enough to slip over the driving wheel. When it cools down it shrinks to a tight fit.