Freight car Bolsters

The Bolster on a 4 wheel freight car holds the side frames together. It also supports the top of the springs, the center plate, and two side bearings. First made of wood then fabricated of steel then cast steel witch is by fare the most used from 1900 to now.

Most of the Bolster can not be seen very well in Trainz due to the cameras so you only need to get the ends right, the rest just needs the general shape, this saves a lot as the cast steel ones have holes all over.

The side bearings are at 2'1" from the center of the bolster and are rollers or sliders that run on a steel plate on the bottom of the car body. They do not touch unless the car is moving on a curve. I have made them by just a box with slanting sides, you can not see them most of the time.

There is also a spring plate used on the bottom of the Bolster but can not be seen, it holds the springs in place.