Re: Brake staff /cylinder confusion and mismatched trucks!!

Posted by Jim Courtney on Sep 24, 2015; 5:48am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Brake-staff-cylinder-confusion-and-mismatched-trucks-tp3464p3506.html

Thanks for your comments, Ron.  Please visit more often, you have much to contribute here!

I think the sign on the DL&G boxcar is some early form of designated service placard for "Grain and Hay", possibly for use by a designated shipper:



I cannot make out the shipper's or business's name though.  The sign seems painted on, the paint cracked vertically at each seam of the siding boards, but the paint adhering to the groove or beadwork in the middle of each plank.

There seems to be another sign or placard under the upper fascia at the door stop post.  Was this car an inherited car from the DSP&P or did it come from another UP subsidiary?  Could this be another owner's plate?

As to the brake rigging, a few clear pictures prior to 1900 of backwards brake staff / wheel cars show the familiar anchor rod from brake reservoir to main brake lever, just peeking out under the side sills. Looks the same as on the later "phase 1" brake arrangement with right way brake staff / wheels :



I believe that the actual brake rigging on the early backwards brake staff cars was a variation of the same system, somehow connecting the brake rod to staff differently.  Still haven't figured it out though. I am trying to come up with a mechanically plausible design for modeling purposes, as we will likely never know what the real thing looked like.

Jim