SIDE BEARINGS FOR TRUCK BOLSTERS

A constant contact spring bearing for use with a railway car truck bolster is disclosed. Greater design flexibility and installation tolerances are available because a longer travel spring, with potentially lower spring load rate and stress rate, may be used. The present invention facilitates the establishment of loadings that may be expected to fall reliably within set-up tolerances from unit to unit. Instead of mounting the spring bearing on the surface of the truck bolster top member, the present invention provides a recess in the truck bolster to receive the spring, allowing for use of longer springs. With longer travel springs available for use, a spring may be selected with a lower load rate and a lower stress rate.