To: | "CBQ@groups.io" <CBQ@groups.io> |
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Subject: | Re: [CBQ] Passenger Car Step Box |
From: | "kerhart@frontier.com" <kerhart@frontier.com> |
Date: | Sun, 30 Aug 2020 17:49:13 +0000 (UTC) |
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Louis, Leo, Rupert and Joe, Thank you so much for all of your expertise and taking the time to share your knowledge. I remember this step box being used as far back as the 1950's in our garage and basement to reach higher shelves. It wasn't until many years later that I learned that it came from my grandfather who worked as a "railway bull" in the depression. It makes sense that it was built around the turn of the century if my grandfather would have been able to take possession after it was thirty to forty years old. My plan was to put it in my train room for the younger grandkids to step up and view the layout. I thought a fresh coat of original-looking paint would dress it up. Thanks again. Keith Erhart
On Sunday, August 30, 2020, 12:05:39 PM CDT, Louis Zadnichek via groups.io <lzadnichek=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
August 30, 2020
Keith - I've taken a close look at your step box images. I agree with Leo's comments. My own educated opinion is:
(1) The wood step box is authentic.
(2) It's original color was mustard yellow (CB&Q Yellow) as still shown on its interior surfaces.
(3) From its provenance, the step box was most likely hand made in the Cabinet Shop at the Aurora Shops.
(4) The wood step box predates the steel step boxes that were for the most part commercially manufactured.
(5) A 1899-1902 construction date is reasonable, but the actual date could be on either side by a number of years.
(6) The step box might've spent its life in the Aurora Shops or a railroad office to reach high shelves. Or, it might've been used on either or both suburban and mainline passenger trains until finding its way back to the Shops in a passenger car needing repairs or having been condemned. I'm sure the box would have quite an interesting story to tell if it could talk.
It you want to keep the step box authentic to your father's time, leave it alone. Or, if your home decor is more important than authenticity, then have a paint store match the interior mustard yellow color with a present day coating. Your mother might not have liked the mustard yellow and had your father paint it a nice shade of blue to fit in with other household furnishings. Wives often "rule" when it comes to home furnishings.....
Purists may decry such repainting, but to others it won't make much of a difference. You've got a very special CB&Q wood step box with provenance. I've never seen another one like it. For value, as a "one of a kind," the box is worth what another seasoned CB&Q collector would be willing to pay for it.
Incidentally, the metal pocket in the bottom of the step box is indeed for placing clean rags. They would be used by the trainman to wipe off the passenger car hand rails at station stops to keep passengers' hands clean of "railroad dirt." Thanks for sharing your step box with us - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
In a message dated 8/29/2020 10:23:49 PM Central Standard Time, qutlx1=aol.com@groups.io writes:
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