Rail wheel, axle, brake and bearing suppliers share their latest product/service offerings

Compiled by Michael Popke

A. Stucki Co.

American Industries, Stucki Roller Bearing, Seco Machine and Magnus — all divisions of A. Stucki Co. — are certified by the Association of American Railroads to provide freight-car and locomotive wheelsets with new or reconditioned wheels, axles and roller bearings.

American Industries provides interchange-usable or second-hand repairable axles and repaired locomotive roller bearings. Meanwhile, Seco Machine provides new rail-car axles and axle-reconditioning services; Stucki Roller Bearing offers reconditioning services for AAR bearings; and Magnus markets axle thrust bearings and journal bearings.

Birmingham Rail & Locomotive (BR&L), another Stucki company, offers wheel- and axle-recontouring services, plus wheel-contouring services at customer locations.

Additionally, RollGuard™ Group N and Group O hand brakes and brake beams from Stucki include braking power and handling features designed to enable operators to reliably control rail cars. The hand brakes have sealed bearings on both ends to support improved characteristics over commonly used journal bearings, with tight tolerances on all elements. Corrosive, damaging elements and debris are kept out while vital grease remains, company officials said in an email.

A sealed bearing virtually eliminates the damage washing rail cars typically causes to hand brake parts; the design also minimizes rolling resistance and sliding while providing greater accuracy and durability, company officials said. The use of a clutch composed of wide-diameter bearings extends life and fatigue resistance, they added.