End-of-Track Bumpers. Historical info?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Does anyone know of websites with pictures and info on end-of-track bumpers and wheelstops?

I’m looking for info on what styles were used in various historical periods and regions, types of railroads, and applications (e.g. industrial sidings vs. yard sidings, vs. station sidings).

Interested in everything from piles of dirt and ties bolted across the track to modern mass-production items. Primary interest - USA and secondarily Britain, but curious to see bumpers from anywhere in the world.

Thanks for any info or leads.

– D

2

Notes on Track, Construction and Maintenance - published in 1904 - section on bumpers page 890

http://books.google.com/books?id=2QjWAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1223&lpg=PA1223&dq=railroad+track+bumpers+and+wheel+stops&source=bl&ots=WL-C3_u25j&sig=LlcWAI1G4eitsBekka9ODXBh90Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=05uCUMX-FsjcigLs4oGoDA&ved=0CFYQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=railroad%20track%20bumpers%20and%20wheel%20stops&f=false

Railway Track and Track Work - published 1908 - Section on bumpers page 206

http://books.google.com/books?id=elg5AAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=railroad+track+and+track+work&source=bl&ots=CN8J2GJtmH&sig=-anHBN0zKQ8N-R92G-newsXcD5U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DaGCUNmYH-ejiAKY5oDoDg&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=railroad%20track%20and%20track%20work&f=false

3

Depending on the time period and road. Some roads had standards for everything. Even bumpers.

http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=70100-B

Pete

4

BumperUP by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

BumperSPendunloadingramp by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

BumperSP by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

BumperMKTcarstop by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

BumperMKT by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

BumperATSF by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr

5

An end of track bumper at Mescal, Arizona, on the Union Pacific Sunset Route, is nothing more than a pile of ballast.

I’ve seen others along the line that are piles of dirt or wooden ties jammed into the ground in an X pattern near the end of the spur.

6

Pick up a copy of the August 2012 NMRA Magazine. There’s a very good article (pp. 43-47) on bumpers and wheel stops with pictures, drawings, and text.

7

The one in the photo is about four miles from me next to a feed and grain store. There was a siding for what must have been a larger facility at the time. The Manhan Rail Trail now is on the former roadbed used by the railroad that came through Easthampton, MA. The town station still exist and is becoming a bagel/coffee shop for the town and rail trail walkers and bicycle riders. The railroad extended from New Haven, Ct up to Northampton and beyond. I do not have the dimensions for it right now. I can go measure it if you want aany specs. I see it almost every day.

Rich

8

I remember one time seeing a book photo (can’t remember the book or railroad) of freight car wheels stacked up as a track bumper.