Here comes the next archive picture from Timken. The text on the photo says the following: “One of the eight Timken Olympian trains on the Milwaukee Road arriving in Chicago after a 70 hour run from the Pacific coast”. Pacific #6123 is hauling the train. In 1927, the Olympian was the first western transcontinental passenger train to be equipped throughout with roller-bearings.
In THE OHIO STATE ENGINEER journal dated October 1927, I have found the following advert for the Timken Roller Bearing Company:
A new epoch in railroad history started when the "Pioneer Limited" and the Olympian" of the C. M. & St. Paul R. R. entered regular service with every car on Timken Bearings. Never before, anywhere in the world, have any anti-friction bearings been used throughout any Pullman train. These famous flyers of the Milwaukee Road are destined to make momentous and enduring railroad history. The 88% reduction in starting load due to friction elimination only begins to express the value of Timken-equipped car journals. Eliminating wear, hot boxes, and by far the greater part of lubrication costs, Timken Bearings with their tapered design, Timken-made Electric Steel and POSITIVELY ALIGNED ROLLS have brought a new day in railroading. As in every other field of engineering, Timken Tapered Roller Bearings are effecting both mechanical and economic improvement. The use of Timken Tapered Roller Bearings has come to be a proof of sound, progressive design. That is why Timkens are of vital concern to all engineers of the future.
Huge Album that Includes over 2,600+ photos of classic passenger trains across USA & Canada before and during the time of Amtrak & VIA Rail. More Images will be Added.
