Deep dive part 2: making and replacing axle bushings for 1948

Please join me for part two of a video series on a #302 Atlantic. In this video I make and replace axle bushings. Then we do some testing to see if there is improvement or if I just made things worse.
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[@davidgerber9907]

Job well done. Congratulations.

[@-MAILMAN]

Oilite bushings/bearings have pores that channel the lubricant between the bushing/bearing itself and the shaft.

[@MygrandpasTrain]

I could be mistaken, but I thought flyer originally used a porous material for bushings. If not Flyer, than I think Varney used something similar.

[@-MAILMAN]

@@MygrandpasTrain Oilite is a brand and is made up of Copper, iron and tin. It is porous allowing for better lubrication. Barker's book refers to these bushings in his book. Athearn's blue box axle bearings are similar, a sintered metal, that assists with lubrication.

[@MygrandpasTrain]

Very interesting indeed. Had I a lathe, I would be re-bushing my 360/61 set. It seems that when these are close to factory new specs for tolerances they are extremely good perfomers, when the original factory claims their engines could pull 40 cars, they probably could! Daves American Flyer recently rebuilt a Royal Blue and built a "factory style" test track. I wonder how close your engine is to factory specs now, with these improvements, how many laps can it make at so many volts, etc. Where do you find the stock material for the bushings? I'm considering building flywheels for another locomotive project.

[@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains]

I ended up purchasing oilight bronze rod from Granger. I did find a few places online that offered the bushing but I was not able to find the type Tom Barker suggested. Since I would be needing many different sizes I ultimately decided to turn my own.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Austin, would you please help Pa Pa Ville O Gauge Trains? He purchased a Flyer 290 loc. with a tender that's plug fell off. Its wires need ringing out for identification. This Marx guy says thank you, GOD BLESS.

[@AustinsAmericanFlyertrains]

If he wants to send me an email [e-mail] I'll see what I can do