A heavy-duty lathe designed to machine the treads and flanges of railcar and locomotive wheels. Instead of removing the wheels from the axle, shop crews roll the entire wheelset into the machine, which shaves away flat spots and restores the exact taper required for safe tracking. Underfloor versions allow entire locomotives to be driven over the cutter, truing the wheels without dropping the trucks.
Heard on the job
We need to run the lead axle over the wheel lathe before this motor goes back out, the flanges are getting too sharp.
Insider tip
Wheels can only be turned on the lathe a few times before they reach their minimum condemning limit and must be scrapped.