Railroad Forums 

  • Why are there so many types of trucks for passenger cars?

  • General discussion about locomotives, rolling stock, and equipment
General discussion about locomotives, rolling stock, and equipment

Moderator: John_Perkowski

 #1287935  by SouthernRailway
 
Why does each type of passenger car and other passenger equipment (e.g., Metro-North M-8s vs. M-2s, Viewliners, Shoreliners, Amfleet) have its own type of truck? Why aren't there just a few "best" types of trucks?

I can see that a new EMU or DMU would have a higher-tech truck than an older EMU or DMU would have, but why the differences for locomotive-hauled cars?

My question comes from some experiences with rough-riding Metro-North and LIRR M-7s; it seems like since new doesn't necessarily mean better, it could be a good idea to keep older models of trucks and not mess with them for new models of cars.

Thanks.
 #1287946  by DutchRailnut
 
truck designs are owned by certain manufacturers, they won't let you put their truck put under a other manufacturers train.