This heavy steel bracket bolts to the underframe of older freight cars and directly surrounds the journal box. It prevents the axle from shifting forward or backward under braking and traction forces. The design allows the journal box to slide vertically against spring pressure to absorb track shocks.
Heard on the job
The car knocker bad-ordered the flatcar because the rear axle guard was bent inward and binding the journal box.
Also heard as
- hornblock
- pedestal tie
Related terms
Bogie
A wheeled chassis or framework attached under a rail vehicle to provide support, suspension, and guidance along the track.
Hot box
An overheated wheel bearing on a railcar, a defect that can burn the end off an axle if missed.
Bad order
A car or locomotive with a defect that keeps it from running until it is repaired.