State of the art railroad bearing technology and bearing materials are now helping
in the restoration of a 1942 railroad locomotive.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad,
recently refurbished engine No. 1702. "We replaced chrome brass headers on all wheels with Timken AP(TM)
bearings. We chose Timken because of the bearing design and performance, as well as the
extensive technical support offered by the company," says Greg Dodd, former engine master at
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. "The result is a smoother ride and a life expectancy of 500,000
to 600,000 miles per wheel versus 50,000 per wheel with friction bearings."
The No. 1702 restoration, which also included firebox and boiler upgrades, ensures more
efficient operation for the 200,000 people who ride the train to view the Great Smoky Mountains
in half-day trips from March through December.
The locomotive originally provided service to the U.S. Army during World War II, and then
was sold to the Warren & Saline River line in Arkansas. In the 1960s, Paramount Pictures leased
the locomotive for "This Property is Condemned," starring Robert Redford, Charles Bronson and
Natalie Wood. Since moving to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, No. 1702 and its track have
been featured in several films, including "The Fugitive," "My Fellow Americans" and "Forces of
Nature."
Following the renovation of engine No. 1702, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad enlisted two
volunteers to pull the locomotive 1,000 feet at the Bryson City, N.C., depot. At the time of
the demonstration, the engine carried full tanks of water for steam, adding to the weight
pulled.
The event harkened back to a similar demonstration in the 1930s, when locomotive No. 1111,
known as the Four Aces, was first fitted with Timken bearings. Friction was so greatly reduced
by these alternative bearings that three people were able to pull the 323-ton Four Aces from a
dead stop.
"We remembered the Four Aces demonstration and thought it would be interesting to reenact
the event, especially since we integrated Timken bearings into our locomotive," says Kim Lyons,
marketing manager - Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. "Much like the 1930s, we captured the event
on video and in photos. As one of the volunteers who participated, I can attest to dramatic
improvement Timken bearings provided on our engine."
For more information on bearing materials in transport, click here.
Posted October 29th, 2002
