11-25-2009, 04:32 PM
While I don't know much. I do know that I have seen quite a few freight cars with info about the brake shoes stenciled on the side.
I also recall when I was a wee lad, I aked my father what the "fringe" hanging down from a wire running across the tracks, just about 5 foot or so above the top of the boxcars was for. My father explained that they were there so that if a brakeman wasn't watching toward the front of the train, he wouldn't get knocked off the roofs of the cars by a low overpass. Thus also, the warning on the sides of buildings declaring "no room for man." Some railroads had brakemen hanging on the sides of cars, so that they could jump off and set the brakes. This was during the steam era, and yes, I remember that era very well!! (I also remember dinosaurs and stuff!!)
I also recall when I was a wee lad, I aked my father what the "fringe" hanging down from a wire running across the tracks, just about 5 foot or so above the top of the boxcars was for. My father explained that they were there so that if a brakeman wasn't watching toward the front of the train, he wouldn't get knocked off the roofs of the cars by a low overpass. Thus also, the warning on the sides of buildings declaring "no room for man." Some railroads had brakemen hanging on the sides of cars, so that they could jump off and set the brakes. This was during the steam era, and yes, I remember that era very well!! (I also remember dinosaurs and stuff!!)
I only know what I know, and I don't understand very much of it, either.
Member: AEA, American Legion, Lions Club International
Motto: "Essayons"
Member: AEA, American Legion, Lions Club International
Motto: "Essayons"