Good job Russ. But I do take exception to one small
part. While the cupola may have been forward much of
the time, there was no "normal" position for it. The
waycar could be run either way and was. Most of the
time, it did not get turned at the end a run. The
cupola seats just got flipped over and the markers
were hung on the other end. In my part of the world,
most crews wanted the cupola to the rear when handling
loaded coal trains, because it cut down the dust, they
had to inhale (or so they claimed). I might also add
that on the side of the waycar with the desk was a
fold down table that served as a cabinet for food and
eating and cooking utensils. Under the cupola was a
closet for work clothes. Next to the stove was a wash
basin with a large water tank. At the end away from
the cupola was a large ice box with a lid that raised
up. At both ends, there were fusee racks. The toilet
was on the cupola end, on the left as you looked at
the end door from the outside of the waycar, (it was
cold place in the winter and a very hot place in the
summer). Also the "condutor's" seat in the cupola was
on the stove side (the desk was opposite the stove) on
the same side as the air brake valve.
John
--- Russell Strodtz <vlbg@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Ben,
>
> Normal would be Conductor and Rear Brakeman, (also
> called
> Flagman). Normally cupola forwards. It was CB&Q
> policy to
> put a "low car" ahead of the waycar, an empty flat
> or gon
> so that the view of the train would be clearer from
> the
> cupola.
>
> Normally the Flagman would be in the cupola most of
> the
> time. Would probably have a preferred side to sit on
> but
> would move from side to side going around curves so
> he
> could look at the side of the train ahead.
>
> Conductor could be either in the cupola or at his
> desk
> doing paperwork or whatever. Usually arranged so he
> could look out a rear window at what was behind the
> train.
> This is important because if a car derails or
> something
> falls off there would be evidence of it behind the
> train.
> This would be damaged ties or grade crossing planks
> tore
> out.
>
> The benches along the sides had hinged lids so
> underneath
> there were storage areas for tools and supplies. The
> wooden
> lids would usually be just plain wood but with long
> flat
> cushions laying on top. Usually horsehair covered in
> black
> leather or vinyl. You did not need to take the
> cushions
> off to get at the stuff under the lids but you could
> if you
> needed to. Beneath the cupola there were higher
> storage
> closets. Next to the stove would be a place to store
> coal or if it was an oil stove there would be a
> tank,
> usually up in one of the ceiling corners that could
> be
> filled through a pipe from the roof or on the side
> near
> the roof.
>
> In early years some Railroads required marker lights
> on
> top of the cupola. This would be something to check
> on
> if you are going in the direction of the teens or
> 20's.
>
> Never heard of anywhere that freight crews wore
> uniforms.
> Bib overalls or work type coveralls would be pretty
> normal.
> The kinda clothes you would get at an Army Navy
> store. Was
> a dirty job and not much reason to ruin good clothes
> at work.
>
> Think that covers it,
>
> Russ
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "B.J. de Vries" <ben1.vries@planet.nl>
> To: <BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, 17 September, 2003 07:00
> Subject: [BRHSlist] waycar internal life
>
>
> > Got my Walthers waycars too and now want to put
> some "life''
> > into them. But since Preiser still doesn't succeed
> in making
> > real living miniatures it's me to put them into
> position. And that raises a number of questions:
> > - what was the normal crew consist of a Q waycar
> > - was always one (or two) of them on the lookout
> in the cupola
> > - if yes what was their main concern, the train in
> front or the rear
> > - was it standard to run the waycar with the
> cupola first or to the
> > rear (determines also where to put the markers)
> > - did crewmembers wear uniforms (if yes what
> colors?)
> > or just any plain clothing
> > - were the benches they sat on upholstered
> (color?) or plain
> > wood
> > My advanced thanks for your answers! Ben de Vries
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for Your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark
Printer at Myinks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada.
http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511
http://us.click.yahoo.com/l.m7sD/LIdGAA/qnsNAA/8ZCslB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|