Re: Which Way is Most Common?

Posted by Keith Hayes on Jun 21, 2015; 6:26pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Which-Way-is-Most-Common-tp2568p2580.html

Is the mail end always on the Leadville end of the train?

I have not checked out my model,  but I recall that both ends of the car are blind.

While I like the center door cars, they require scratchbuilding in Sn3. The door with the 1/4 round moulding will take some work. Not to mention the roof. And the signature large brake wheel. And there are other projects in the interim. Perhaps a combination car?

I was surprised as I studied the photos that the car appears to have been rarely turned. It would be much easier to switch the order of cars at each end.

No doubt this can be ascribed to multiple economies, though I don't personally see how running the car one way versus the other would result in less drawbar wear.

In contrast,  the Grande appears to have turned their mail cars at each end of the run, though I can't speak for the same day out and back trains. The long mail cars were rebuilt with steel rail on the ends and covered in (bitumen?) fire retardant. They also got cast steel trucks as did 13. Not sure if 10-11-12 got the trucks.  I don't think D&RGW 62-63 got the upgrades either, though they were in use to the end of the Chili Line.