Re: Q&TL

nedsn3 Wrote:
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> The November 1974 Finelines has drawings of the
> Q&TL cars which were very similar, if not
> identical.


The EBT drawing does remind me of Q&TL cars. Although there were several variations within the Q&TL cars besides the basic variation between the flat sided, side-stake cars and the "Z"-braced cars, which is well known. There were several different truck designs. As I recall learning, at least some of the "Z"-braced cars came from the 3-foot-gage Mineral Range RR, and the flat sided, side-stake cars came from the 3-foot-gage Hancock & Calumet RR. Some of the cars predated the 1890 construction of the Q&TL, and were built in approx. 1880s. I have also heard that initially, Q&TL cars operated with link and pin couplers, and without air brakes; with automatic couplers and air brakes added in a later conversion.

I have never seen a comprehensive roster of Q&TL cars with all of these acquisition and rebuilding details. I recall that up until around early 1970s, all of the rolling stock remained where it was parked when the line shut down in 1945. The number of ore cars seemed like it could have been roughly 100 or more. All of the cars were in very rough condition after enduring approximately 30 years of "snow belt" winters while parked after the shutdown.