grab iron caboose

[estrada de ferro central do brasil]

because the grab iron and bent the caboose?
would facilitate the loading on the run?

[AgentKid]

I think you are referring to the curved grab irons on the side of the caboose inboard of the steps at each end. Yes, they for assisting the train crew to board the caboose when it was moving.

Some crew used to like to add acrobatic flourishes when someone was watching and it would be quite impressive. I always thought it looked better than ballet or figure skating.

We have a museum park here in Calgary with a caboose they take out on their track once in a while, but the volunteers they have are too old to really put on a show getting on the caboose when it is moving. I really miss that, and it is to younger peoples loss not to have seen it done.

Bruce

 

[BigJim]

estrada de ferro central do brasil

because the grab iron and bent the caboose?
would facilitate the loading on the run?

Well, that was the idea. However, I never liked using those. They just seemed too far away from the steps and unsafe. Our cabs had a straight up/down grab iron on the rear edge of the carbody that I used...much safer too!

[estrada de ferro central do brasil]

bruce thanks for the reply

[estrada de ferro central do brasil]

thanks big jim
a hug

[BaltACD]

One thing about mounting any moving equipment.....

That first step is much higher than it looks....getting your leg up to it's height can be challenging!