Backyard Rails Side Frames

The side frames comes in two models, passenger and freight.

These side frames are made out of modern plastic that has 6,000 pounds per square inch tensile strength. Molded inside the plastic frame is a 1-1/4 inch wide by 3/16 inch thick flat piece of steel that is almost as long as the side frame itself. The bolts that hold the side frames to the trucks go through the steel bar stock. Therefore when you have to pick up the engine to re-rail or whatever, all the pressure is on the steel and bolts and not on the side frame itself. That is where most original Backyard Rails side frames broke - from the pressure on the bolts holes.

A friend, Steve Panzik, ( about 6 ft. 6 in. / 300 lb.) at Train Mountain has been testing these side frames for a year and a half. They finally took one into the shop to see if they could break it somehow. They laid the side frame ends across the gap between two tables and left the frame open underneath. With a ten pound sledge hammer they hit it three times and it broke on the third time attempt at the journal box. So we know they can be broken like anything else when put under enough stress. But will they break in normal use?? The consensus is probably not. There is no guarantee that they won't break if enough pressure is used. Are they worth buying to replace your old broken original side frames? I say they are. You probably won't ever break them under normal use. The side frames can be painted any color. Order your set today!!!!

The freight model has a shock on the right end and a brake air cylinder on the left end. The spring set in the middle is different from passenger model also.

NOTE: Please call for shipping costs before placing your order for these side frames.

Item #: SFFREIGHT

Passenger models have a brake air cylinder on both ends and no shock. The spring set is different from the freight model.