Early D&RGRY Cabeese

Found a interesting image in a set of familiar views from a cabinet card of the yards of Buena Vista of the joint D&RG/DSP&P yards of a consist of box cars, including of what appears to be a 4 wheeled car on the rear end. What is interesting is that this car has a smoke jack and a offset door on the end of car, and maybe a platform. The date of this image is most likely spring/summer 1880. Similar to the DSP&P way cars or perhaps the DSP&P way cars were similar to the first D&RG calaboose design.



It has been documented that the first 4 cabeese (#s 1-4) of the D&RG were converted from Baggage/Mail cars "A(1),B(2) and Smokers 3 and 4 1n 1873. These cars were built by Jackson & Sharp in 1871.It is reported in a corporate annual report of 1873 that these 4 wheeled car were not suited for passenger use and were to be replaced by 8 wheeled cars.




What I am theorizing is that the D&RG modified the structure with adding/removing windows and doors and changing the roof from around roof to a peaked one (possibly) and with a roof walk. Most likely regular tongue and groove sheathing replaced the board and batten. Who knows what the interior was like but it had to have a stove. These first four cabeese must not have had cupolas if I am right. Any other thoughts?

Just a theory.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2015 08:25PM by Jeff Ramsey.