End-of-train markers

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Rule 19 requires a marker on the end of a train. Modern freight trains use a radio beacon attached to the last car’s coupler. However, on 20s era heavyweight passenger cars what method was used? Specifically, I’m interested in open platform observation cars. I know that cabooses used lanterns (either kerosene or electric) that hung from the sides of the rear of the caboose. Does anyone know what was used?

Thanks,

GN Goat

2

Marker lights attached the end of the car, basically the same lights as on a caboose.

Dave H.

3

Here is a good pic for reference… http://canadasouthern.com/caso/images/nyc-746.jpg

4

Big name trains also used drumheads. That is a 2.5 ft drum with a light. I know I’ve seen orange flags shoved down in the knuckle on locals

5

Check out this site

http://www.tomarindustries.com/drumheads.htm

6

At the museum I was a volunteer at for many years in San Antonio, we inhereted quite a bit of paperwork from the old Espee office building there. In one of the files there was an internal memo describing a situation when the markers went out on the Sunset (cant recall if it was the #1 or #2), and the crew used Hills Bros coffee cans and 110V bulbs as makeshift markers. Not completely relevant to this discussion, but I thought that was kind of cool.