08-26-2020, 05:58 PM
Nice job on the brake gear, Guy! 
I don't know for sure if you're right about that or not, but the CNR did have lots of wood reefers, so I wouldn't say that it was a real stretch to include the underfloor heater unit, as it was not only better, but also safer than the charcoal heaters which they placed in the ice bunkers, when a particular cargo needed to be protected from the cold.
For the older heaters, there would be a small hinged door in the side of one of the end bunkers, where the heater was placed. While they apparently worked well enough, they also filled the car with carbon monoxide, which could cause problems when the car reached its destination, and the crews had to enter the cars for unloading.
Wayne
(08-26-2020, 01:04 PM)CNR5103 Wrote: ....I know that this one will not be prototypical.....
I don't know for sure if you're right about that or not, but the CNR did have lots of wood reefers, so I wouldn't say that it was a real stretch to include the underfloor heater unit, as it was not only better, but also safer than the charcoal heaters which they placed in the ice bunkers, when a particular cargo needed to be protected from the cold.
For the older heaters, there would be a small hinged door in the side of one of the end bunkers, where the heater was placed. While they apparently worked well enough, they also filled the car with carbon monoxide, which could cause problems when the car reached its destination, and the crews had to enter the cars for unloading.
Wayne