Let’s Talk About Brake Beams!Miner Series 2000 Diagonally Corrected Beam

Topics for Today….

• What is a Brake Beam and What Does It Do…

• Brake Beam Terminology

• Different Beam Design and Construction

• Potential Application Issues

• AAR Wear Limits and Reasons for Replacement of Brake Beams

Brake beam is the structure that holds the brake shoes and forces them against the wheels

Railcar Truck – Brake Beam Movement Body mounted Brake systems

Wabtec Truck TMX mounted brake system

Wabtec UBX Truck mounted brake system

NYAB TMB–60 Truck mounted brake system

• Anatomy of SERIES 2000 Beam

SCT Brake Beam

Stucki Brake Beam

Brake Beam TerminologyBrake Head

Camber

Hucks

Reversible Strut

Compression MemberBrake Head Extension

Brake Lever Slot

Tension Member

Brake Beam Ratings

• #18 and #24 Rating for Brake Beams

• #18 = Rated for 18,000 lbs force

• #24 = Rated for 24,000 lbs force

• Rating dependent on Railcar type and demands of service

• Wheel – Brake Beam – Brake Shoe Interface

• Normal Condition for a Diagonally Corrected Brake Beam

What Does Diagonally Corrected Mean?

• Uncorrected beam tends to ‘sag’ or droop over time

Uneven Brake Shoe Wear

Diagonal Correction

Corrected Conventional

Or Uncorrected

Shoe Wear – From Non Corrected Beams

Proper Brake Shoe Wear is Determined by:

• Appropriate Wheel Size

• Side Frame Pocket Angle

• Side Frame Pocket Opening

• Beam Design

Simply Stated!

Miner Brake Beam Head

#24 Beam

3 Hucks

- Mechanically Fastened

Different Brake Head Designs

2 rivets attaching head

Another Brake Head Design

40” of weld per headForged brake head

extensions

Welded construction

Miner Strut Design

Hardened Steel Bushing

Different Strut Design

Another Strut Design

Brake Shoe

Key Application

•Proper Brake Shoe Key Installation is critical to Safe and Efficient Braking and Maximum Shoe Life

Miner Series 2000 Brake Beam HeadBrake shoe key - Installed and Locked

Key LockKey Guide

Another Brake Beam HeadIncorrect Installation on Brake Shoe Key - Behind Shoe

Another Brake Beam Head

Installed Key

Another Brake Beam Head

Incorrect Key Installation

Reasons for Bad Order or Beam Replacement

•From 2008 AAR Field Manual Interchange Rules – Rule 6 Brake Beams

•Covers Wear Limits and Causes for Renewal

Condemnable Factors – Reasons for Replacement of Brake Beams

• Damaged or worn tension or compression members – worn or cut to ½ original thickness; cut or notch exceeding ½ inch in depth

• Twisted beam or brake beam head• Worn end extensions – Replace if less than 1-1/4 inch• Worn brake beam wear liner – if ½ original thickness• Loose brake beam head – can be moved more than ½ inch• Strut bent or twisted – Strut pin hole elongated or worn more than 3/16” or

more or strut bushings worn through; lever slot worn 1/8” or more• One or more of brake head corners broken or worn – will not properly contact,

support and position brake shoe• Parts of complete brake beam missing• Cracks anywhere in the brake beam – single crack in wear plates attached to

end extensions is not condemnable unless damaging wear liner• Wrong beam for railcar design or brake system

Defective Brake Beam Indicators

• If any of the following indicators are identified investigate further• If possible do a roll by (listen for brake beam chatter, pounding or

signs of high vibration)• During inspection look for brake shoes that are cocked or out of

position or place• Bottom half of brake shoe is missing (can cause bottom of brake head

to twist inward)• Burned in shoes (check handbrake)• Shiny areas on compression, tension and strut area• Rust signs inside and outside of box type brake beams• Look for strut clamps, rivets or bolts missing• Causes for a closer look are shell spots, built up tread or slid flat

wheels

Missing Parts, Damaged Heads or Out of Position Beams

Broken Welds, Broken Members or Loose or Dislodged Clamps

In Summary

• Beam Terminology

• Different Beam Design and Construction

• Potential Application Issues

• AAR Wear Limits and Reasons for Replacement of Brake Beams

Questions…?

Brake Beams

Draft Gears

Side bearings

Discharge Gates and Custom Unloading Devices