I was doing some “research” on the net today and ran across this video of a steam excursion–it has some interesting close-ups that might be useful for modeling – if not that, then just maybe fun to watch:
Cool! Would the last 3 passenger cars be considered heavy weights even though they only have 4 wheel trucks? (I see the first one has 6 wheels) I’m still trying to figure out what determines the type of trucks used.[%-)]
Loathar, the cars are heavyweight cars because they’re made of steel and quite heavy. Heavyweight cars can have either 4-wheel or 6-wheel trucks, depending on their service–though back in the days of wooden cars, even some head-end cars rode on 6-wheel trucks. Usually, head-end cars and day coaches rode on 4-wheel trucks, while diners, parlor cars, observation cars (like that first car behind the engine), etc., rode on 6-wheel trucks for their better riding qualities. Most heavyweight cars had clerestory (raised center section, with windows for ventilation and light) roofs. Streamlined, or lightweight, cars weighed less because they were built lighter and were often, but not always, sheathed in stainless steel.
When I was a younker, I always resented it when railroads mixed streamlined and heavyweight cars in the same train. I liked the Diesel streamliner engines and didn’t like those “ugly, old-fashioned cars!” Now my tastes run the opposite way: I prefer the solid elegance of the old heavyweight cars–and steam locos on the point. As Mork from Ork (Robin Williams) used to say, “Heavy sigh…”
Kenfolk, thanks for the link! My dial-up is incredibly slow, but soon I’ll go back and watch the other video clips. All I need is the smell of sulfur to take me back to the Good Ol’ Days.