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A locomotive iron tire is the very outer rim of a drive wheel on a locomotive that contacts the rail. It is heated up with a special cicular manifold that applies a flame (usually gas) around the entire diameter. This expands the diameter enough so it will fit over the wheel, and when it cools the tire will shrink to make a very secure bond with the wheel. This was a common practice in the age of steam engines because the wheel was a more complicated, and therefore, expensive part to replace in entirety. Since the primary wear is between the rail and the wheel surface that contacts it, replacing just that outer rim is more economical, and allows the wheel itself to be made from iron or other metal, such as steel that facilitates the moving parts that are attached to it. Heat shrinking is also used to attach the wheel of a modern train, which are typically a smaller diameter, (contained in an assembly known as a 'truck') to its axel.

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