Don
I have no knowledge about the preference for the cupola location other than
discussions on this List over the years. I have notes of one discussion involving
Russ Strodtz, John Mitchell, Marshall Thayer and others. Evidently, the
preference was a personal thing, more common in some districts than in others. But
that was on the Burlington
in “recent” years, rather than the Pacific Short Line in 1890.
Presumably the company’s management had a reason for this style.
What was the reason for the cupola being at one end? Improved layout space, ease
of movement within the way car, ease of construction or what?
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2017 7:23
a.m.
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Fw: Unusual way
car
Very interesting, and a long and
interesting life they led! Thanks for the research and details.
The only thing I would question is the remark about no turning facilities
dictating a center cupola. Obviously their creation was long before any
of us and I can't speak for how men thought. But in my own time on the
railroad I never once encountered a conductor who cared which way his caboose
was moving. There was no front or rear, and it never mattered whether the
cupola was on the lead or trailing end in direction of travel.
I don't claim to know it all and it is possible that at some location or other
a man or men wanted his/their caboose oriented a certain way. But I have
never read any mention in various publications or books about having to wye or
spin a caboose to get it "right".
Posted by: Don Brown <dbrown02@rochester.rr.com>
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