Caboose Upright Stanchions

[cedarwoodron]

In general, what was the diameter of caboose upright stanchions (poles) that were located between the end platform and the underside of the caboose roof?

Cedarwoodron

[NeO6874]

might depend a little on the caboose we're talking about -- the ones I'm familiar with (B&O Bay window) have ~3/4" diameter (maybe a little more or less, I've never actually taken calipers to them).

[gmpullman]

Dan makes a good point.

I'm looking at both the 1940 and 1970 editions of the Car Builder's Cyclopedia and looking at AAR specifications the only thing stated is a 5/8" diameter minimum for hand holds and grab irons. They specify 3/8 x 2" steel for the ladder stiles.

Looking at the photos in both books there ale all sorts of variations. Some cars had no vertical rails except the ladder. Others had angle iron (looks to be 1/4 x 2") and some had pipe from anywhere around 1" to 1-1/2"

I can scan any photos if that would help. You need to specify a certain car in order to be certain...

Have fun! Ed

[maxman]

gmpullman

Some cars had no vertical rails except the ladder. Others had angle iron (looks to be 1/4 x 2") and some had pipe from anywhere around 1" to 1-1/2"

And some had collision posts.

[DSO17]

Many cabooses used the vertical ladder rails as a corner stanchion. 3/8 x 2 flat bar has been noted above, and 1/2 x 2 was also a common size. The opposite corner from the ladder could be round ( 1" or more O. D. ) or angle iron ( maybe 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 or 3 x 3 ) Have seen 1" round stanchions double as the vertical corner grab iron, but an angle stanchion would need a separate vertical grab iron applied to it.

Many PRR cabin cars had the collision posts mentioned above. IIRC they were 6" or 8" channels.

[basementdweller]

This is a B&O I5D as you can see the corner station is the flat side of the ladder beam. 

Let me know if you would like measurements.

[basementdweller]

Another view.