Re: Salida work train car 07407 brake question

What we know:

D&RGW cable and tie car 07407 was built from a wreaked C&S/RGS stock car. While receiving new side sills and end beams, the steel under frame structural components remained intact, though the cross piece end brackets were modified slightly to attach to the new side sills.
One may presume that given the retention of certain hardware such as B end brake details, draft gear and strikers, it is likely the brake arrangement was kept somewhat intact. The most obvious exception is the lack of the common C&S side sill mounted chain roller, with the manual brake rod arrangement following typical D&RGW practice.



From photos of 07407 several anomalies stand out. First, there is a spring between the cylinder and the B end truck which shows up quite clearly, roughly 4” in diameter and 16” long. There also appears to be a lever fulcrum just forward of the B end of the spring.



The first drawing shows the standard C&S brake arrangement as I understand it.



This second drawing is an attempt (possibly misguided but as best I can figure) to portray the brake arrangement particular to 07407 after repurposing.



I’m guessing the only reason for the spring is to keep the excessive slack out of the chain, though that’s not standard practice otherwise. The spring may have been a return spring from a coach. Photo from Jeff Taylor.



I am by no means any kind of expert on brake rigging, just trying to figure it out. I’d appreciate any further enlightenment, insight, or guesses as to the actual likely arrangement. I could be totally wrong...

It’s a mystery…

Thanks,
Mike McKenzie
Frankfort IL



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2015 02:09PM by bonefish.