Would like information on layout of air brake systems for freight cars from the transition period. I want to add more detail to HO kits that we have built. Drawings, photos and information would be a great help. My searches on the internet have been frustrating. Thanks
Prototype drawings from Car Builders Cyclopedias would help, with detailed underfloor drawings. Some libraries have these, perhaps libraires at older technical colleges. The huge original volumes, hundreds and hundreds of pages thick, are rather expensive collectors’ items.
Some extracts from these were reprinted selectively to 50-60 page little books for modelers under the name Train Shed Cyclopedia. These are more reasonable. Cost about $5 when they came out 30 or so years ago, now 2 or 3 times that— and worth it.
Mr. Deputy…try this
http://www.steamfreightcars.com/modeling/articles/brakes.pdf
I’m just guessing by “transition period” you mean from type K to type AB brakes.
I always enjoy seeing Ted’s work, as I find it very inspirational.
The transition era for brakes (K to AB) began in 1933, when the AB type were required on all cars built or rebuilt after Sept. 1 of that year. K-type brakes were outlawed in 1945, but extensions were granted until they were banned from interchange service in 1953.
I seldom go to the extent shown in the link, as on some cars the results aren’t very noticeable unless you have a major derailment. An example would be a car with a fishbelly underframe:
For cars with straight frames, the added detail is more noticeable:
[IMG]http://i23.phot