I have the 7th Ed. of Geenberg’s repair…I can not find anything about tenders. Searching this site for 6466W I found old posts (some very old). In one post an editor of the manual mentioned volume 7 (vs Ed. 7) having some information about this tender. But page 35 of the manual was another engine. Are Ed.7 and volume 7 referring to different books of similar names?
But more to the point I have a broken truck. I need a part number so I can order the correct part. It is the coupler in particular that is broken. The attaching fastener (I assume a rivet) failed and the pin that locks the coupler is gone.
And while I have your attention, why are engines and tenders attached with a hook vs the couplers on other cars? A.I. states cost.
Greenberg’s Guide is in multiple volumes, both to reduce overall size (think 'size of a Locomotive Cyclopedia in the steam years) and to allow purchase of just the ‘sections’ of interest.
Meanwhile, as with the Stack’s guide for numismatists, prices and interests change, so Kalmbach produced new ‘editions’ periodically – each edition having multiple volumes.
As with an encyclopedia, there is a huge difference between the ‘edition’ and the volume within that edition.
It appears to me that your coupler has been ‘butchered’ by someone crudely drilling out the rivet.
Prototype steam engine tenders are not attached by couplers but rather by pin-connected drawbars. Separating them is not nearly as common as separating other cars from the loco, and knuckle couplers are susceptible to broken knuckles and knuckle pins. A broken coupler between two cars is an embarrassment; a broken coupling between a loco and tender could be a disaster. The drawbar is an impressively large piece of steel.
The “hook” of model or toy train loco/tender coupling closely approximates the drawbar while allowing for easy separation for putting the engine combination on the track or taking it off. Delicate models often come with a drawbar attached with pins or screws as they tend not to be removed from the track as often. Either way, the hook or drawbar is a decent and efficient way to simulate the real thing.
More to the point, perhaps, the coupler plus shanks and attachments would place unprototypical space between engine and tender, and give unprototypical action on curves.
And yes, there’s a clear difference in cost, including potential concerns if there is a wiring harness connection between engine and tender.
Yes, cost is a factor, but not the main one. palallin and Woke_Hoagland are right, it’s a representation of a drawbar. Cost is the reason that similar tab-and-slot couplers were installed on cheap-cheap cars, especially in the Prewar era. Marx was terribly fond of this arrangement.
Try this, it’s the photo reference list for tender trucks from The Train Tender. See what comes close. https://ttender.com/partphotos/index.html
Go to the left side of the screen and click on “Trucks”, then click on “Online Pictures” then click on “Post War” on the photo index screen.
This is a 6466WX tender, the whistle mechanism and the roller need repair so that’s why you don’t see them. But you can see the rivet for the coupler release lever. This one is really loose because the coupler itself is pressure fitted to the plate and after 75 years it needs a little help. A black zip tie works well.
Thanks for the info. I purchased this book several years ago and have not needed it for tenders until now. Just a coincidence that 7th volume mentioned in a post was related to what I was researching, and me owning the 7Ed of a related but different book. I assumed an editor of the book would not use the two words interchangeable. Grateful for such books. But from a marketing perspective, the newbie would never know the other books exist. Doubly grateful for website like this. I will check out the other volumes. Joe
Update:
Kalmbach Media, which published Kalmbach Books, was dissolved on November 14, 2024, after selling its publications to Firecrown Media earlier that year. Therefore, Kalmbach Books is no longer in business. Wikipedia o-gaugeforum.com
Kalmbach Books, previously part of Kalmbach Media, is no longer in business.
Founded: 1934
Dissolved: November 14, 2024
Successor: Firecrown Media
Key Events Leading to Closure
In May 2024, Kalmbach Media sold its hobby publications, including Kalmbach Books, to Firecrown Media.
The sale included popular titles like Model Railroader and Trains Magazine.
After the sale, Kalmbach Media retained only Discover Magazine before fully dissolving.
Implications
The sale marked the end of Kalmbach’s long-standing presence in hobby publishing.
Firecrown Media has indicated plans to continue operations of the acquired titles, but Kalmbach Books itself is no longer operational.
Wikipedia
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