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Bettendorf vs Built-Up Underframes

This gallery of images is intended to show and explain the differences between the Bettendorf and Built-Up (or RR Design) underframes used on PFE wood ice reefers. These underframes originally had KC brake systems applied. Many were later changed to AB brakes.
The prototype photos of the stripped Bettendorf underframe with KC brakes were taken by Mel Johnson at the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum in Salinas, CA in 2012. For many more photos of a Bettendorf underframe with AB brakes, see:
https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFETrainPhotos/PFE-Wood-Ice-Reefers/PFE-R3016-74583-at-WRM/
The prototype photos of the partially dismantled WP reefer Built-Up underframe (built by AC&F) were taken by Brian Rutherford at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, CA in 2008. I do not yet have detail photos of a PFE class R-30-13 Built-Up underframe.
You can download the full-size version of these images by clicking the "down arrow" icon at the lower right.
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PFE Wood Ice Reefer - Bettendorf Underframes<br /> General comments and explanation of this underframe.
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PFE Wood Ice Reefer - Bettendorf Underframes
General comments and explanation of this underframe.

  • PFE Wood Ice Reefer - Bettendorf Underframes<br /> General comments and explanation of this underframe.
  • Here is a 30-ton Bettendorf underframe with the body stripped away.<br /> For KC brakes, the air brake trainline passes through the cross-bearers (needle beams) and passes through a hole in the center sill "I"-beam near the A-end (distance). <br /> The center sill is an 18-inch "I"-beam, and the needle beams are 8-inch "I"-beams.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • The characteristic "I" (or "H")-beam body bolster and jacking pad over the truck.<br /> This is a reliable spotting feature of a Bettendorf underframe on PFE cars.<br /> Note that the underframe still has T-section Bettendorf trucks.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • All of the mechanical brake rigging is hung below the central "I"-beam of the underframe. There are no holes in that center 18-inch "I"-beam for the brake levers to pass through.<br /> This is also a reliable spotting feature of a PFE Bettendorf underframe.<br /> Note that the needle beam is above the end of the brake cylinder.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • All of the mechanical brake rigging is hung below the central "I"-beam of the underframe. There are no holes in that center "I"-beam for the brake levers to pass through.<br /> This is also a reliable spotting feature of a PFE Bettendorf underframe.<br /> Note that the needle beam is above the end of the brake cylinder.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • All of the mechanical brake rigging is hung below the central "I"-beam of the underframe. <br /> The hand brake rod is supported by a bracket from the center sill.<br /> Note that the needle beam has the later shorter "S" taper at the end.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • The characteristic "I" (or "H")-shape jacking pad at the end of the body bolster.<br /> This is a reliable spotting feature of a Bettendorf underframe on PFE cars.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • "Dead" brake lever with linkage to the A-end truck (to the left).<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Mounting brackets for the KC air brake reservoir/cylinder are attached to the central "I"-beam.<br /> The branch air line to the reservoir/cylinder passes under the 18-inch "I"-beam center sill.<br /> The reservoir/cylinder is mounted offset toward the B-end of the car, allowing the two brake levers to be mostly symmetrical with the car center.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Mounting brackets for the KC air brake reservoir/cylinder are attached to the central "I"-beam.<br /> The branch air line to the reservoir/cylinder passes under the 18-inch "I"-beam center sill.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • "Live" brake lever at the brake cylinder, with chain links to the hand brake rod.<br /> All of the mechanical brake rigging is hung below the central "I"-beam of the underframe. <br /> This is a reliable spotting feature of a PFE Bettendorf underframe.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Side view of the KC air brake reservoir/cylinder showing how its mounting is offset toward the B-end (right), near the needle beam, and not centered on the car.<br /> The branch air line to the reservoir/cylinder passes under the 18-inch "I"-beam center sill.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • These needle beams apparently had a hole on both sides of the center sill for the air brake trainline. The needle beams are the later design with a smaller "S" curve taper at the ends.<br /> With KC brakes, the trainline passed through a hole in the central "I"-beam near the A-end, beyond the reservoir/cylinder. The branch air connection to the car's brakes passed under the center sill. The B-end is in the foreground.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Body bolster "H"-beam and frame bracing at the BL corner of the car.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Body bolster, frame bracing, and draft gear at the BL corner of the car.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Draft gear at B-end body bolster. Hand brake rod is in tube below body bolster.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Air brake trainline and draft gear at B-end of car.<br /> Mel Johnson photo.
  • Bettendorf 30-ton Underframe ~1920<br /> These images are from my friend Steve Hile. They show the top and bottom of a Bettendorf underframe used by PFE. Note the two holes in every needle beam for the Train Line. It is believed that the images are from ~1920, which would be for the PFE R-30-12 series #15920-18919 - 3000 cars. That could explain text that these were applied to 1500 cars for UP/PFE.<br /> Phil Weibler collection, courtesy of Steve Hile.
  • Tapered end of the 18-inch "I"-beam Center Sill at the B-end bolster of the car.<br /> The trainline pipe passes through the 8-inch needle beam.<br /> Builder's patent plate is to the left of the needle beam attachment.<br /> PFE R-30-12-16 #74583 at WRM<br /> Also see: <a href="https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFETrainPhotos/PFE-Wood-Ice-Reefers/PFE-R3016-74583-at-WRM/">https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFETrainPhotos/PFE-Wood-Ice-Reefers/PFE-R3016-74583-at-WRM/</a>
  • Trainline routing for AB brakes passes through a new hole with a pipe bracket in the needle beam that is 15.5" from center, and it then goes through a new hole in the I-beam Center Sill.<br /> This new routing of the trainline runs it above the AB cylinder and triple valve. <br /> Brake rod to B-end truck is below the center sill. <br /> PFE R-30-12-16 #74583 at WRM<br /> Also see: <a href="https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFETrainPhotos/PFE-Wood-Ice-Reefers/PFE-R3016-74583-at-WRM/">https://harley-trains.smugmug.com/PFETrainPhotos/PFE-Wood-Ice-Reefers/PFE-R3016-74583-at-WRM/</a>
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