Hmm.
I have been trying to look into the history of the ribbed-back freight car wheel, and I have now read (on a forum) that the ribs helped to strengthen the (cast iron) wheel during quenching in order to stop it from distorting during this process.
However, these ribs would add strength to the wheel when it was in operation (since the cast wheels would be relatively brittle compared to later steel wheels), and they would increase the wheel's ability to dissipate heat from braking, thus providing some modicum of protection against further embrittlement through extreme heating and cooling.
So, really, I don't know what to think.
The important question is...can I buy the ribbed wheels to put under my steam-era NW hoppers. Perusing a few pictures at the N&W historical society archives tells me...not likely.
However, these ribs would add strength to the wheel when it was in operation (since the cast wheels would be relatively brittle compared to later steel wheels), and they would increase the wheel's ability to dissipate heat from braking, thus providing some modicum of protection against further embrittlement through extreme heating and cooling.
So, really, I don't know what to think.
The important question is...can I buy the ribbed wheels to put under my steam-era NW hoppers. Perusing a few pictures at the N&W historical society archives tells me...not likely.