Re: The Strange Story of Sumpter Valley Caboose #4 / U.S.A. Caboose #909

When we restored caboose #3 to operation, it still had a very early brake system. The old triple valve was of the plain type with a curved seat on the slide valve. It had a built in 3 way cock. One position for cut out, one for automatic air and the other position for straight air. This very early brake system was connected to a 1" train line vs. 1 1/4". There are drilled hole through the cross members that suggested that there had originally been a different train line. If one knew more about the evolution of the air brake components, it might give us an indication of the built date. I should add, that we updated the brake system on #3 to the typical K1 triple valve attached to the reservoir with a detached cylinder, and a 1 1/4" train line.