Re: Alpine/Fisher Photo

More on the Alpine/Fisher photo and the interchange of cars between DSP&P/D&RG. Thanks to all who have posted on this subject. Research shows that the South Park Line bought Eames Vacuum equipment for 700 cars in 1880. The UP (now in control of the DSP&P) bought 300 sets the next year (1881). On Sept. 15, 1883, the CHICAGO RY REVIEW reported that Westinghouse automatic air brakes were being put on "all UP freight cars begining with the DSP&P, in place of the vacuum brake, which formerly was employed." It appears that the use of vacuum brakes on the South Park was limited. Photos show that the transition may have taken several years.
So, if the Alpine/Fisher photo was made in 1883 (rather than 1882), it is possible that the DSP&P already had cars with Westnghouse (Auto) air brakes, which were capable of mating with the D&RG's Westinghouse (straight air) brake cars.
Further investigation (Sloan's D&RG NG Freight Cars) shows that the D&RG boxcar pictured at Alpine (#2620) was a 24', 10 ton car built as part of an order (#2351-2899) under the "C.R.S. Trust A" in 1880.