Prototype information for the modeler

Ok, I got my copy of Model Railroad Planning 2009 and it came with a supplement called Layout design elements by Tony Koester.  On page 7 of this supplement it has a line "(an idler flat car was used so narrow gauge engines could move standard gauge cars)".  HOW??  Is there any dual gauge track there?  If so is it a standed or narrow gauge flat car?  If the narrow gauge engine is just pushing a standard gauge car on dual gauge track way use an idler?  If the idler is coupled on both sides between a narrow gauge engine and a standard gauge car on dual gauge track the idler can't just be a normal flat!

Tony? Does Tony Koester read this?

 Without any specific knowledge of the equipment in question, I would suspect that the idler has an off-set coupler on one end.  Because dual-gauge operations share a common rail, the narrow gauge equipment's couplers wouldn't line up with that of the standard gauge.

A quick google search has revealed these pictures:

cprted:

A quick google search has revealed these pictures:

Nice photo.  I think it is self-explanatory on how the car works.  My understanding is that these cars were used in yards so a single locomotive can switch both narrow and standard gauge cars, but not used on trains going any distance for moving both narrow gauge cars.  Anyone aware otherwise?

Mark

This makes sense.  I wonder why the article didn't say so?  Gotta wonder if the whole yard was dual gauged then?  It says the yard was standed gauged later, but it was already dual gauge it would not need to be converted so much as just not use the narrow gauge any more.

 Edit:  Of course, this is not the answer if it was not dual gauged.  Any ideas if it was not, or does this mean it must have been?

The yard (Alamosa CO) was the gauge break between narrow and standard gauge, and was mostly dual gauge.  Notice, too, that the narrow gauge coupler could be moved to the other side if necessary (Large clevis with a pin through it to the left of the standard gauge coupler in the end view.)

That car, or one just like it, was parked in Antonito, CO, about ten years ago when I happened to be passing through.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - two track gauges, not a millimeter of dual gauge track)

Most folks may not have that specific publication at hand.

It's a bit confusing, but a careful reading will mostly clarify things. The layout design shown with that article is based on Waynesburg PA before the connection to the standard gauge was made and thus has no dual gauge track. It's all narrow gauge (On30, called On2 1/2 by Kalmbach). So, no idler flat would be needed for the design as drawn.

The standard gauge connection would have come in at the upper right. What's confusing is that the track is labeled there as if there's a connection -- but it's not otherwise reflected in the design.

So the design is all narrow gauge, the text includes some information about dual gauge that's not reflected in the layout design. At some (unspecified) point in time, the text says there was some dual gauge here in real life, but it's not clear how much and which tracks, other than the topmost.

 Photo of a HO scale dual gauge coupler car like the prototype. More links for info.

http://www.riograndemodels.com/Images/LargeHO/3026.jpg

http://wanlass.com/jim/mr/jt/rolling/dualcouplercar/index.html

http://www.cumberlandmodelengineering.com/BogsFreightCars.html

Rich

markpierce:

My understanding is that these cars were used in yards so a single locomotive can switch both narrow and standard gauge cars, but not used on trains going any distance for moving both narrow gauge cars.  Anyone aware otherwise?

Mark

I have a video about the old Denver & Rio Grande showing that they did use these idler cars on long runs between towns in areas that were dual guage track out of Salida.

cacole:

markpierce:

My understanding is that these cars were used in yards so a single locomotive can switch both narrow and standard gauge cars, but not used on trains going any distance for moving both narrow gauge cars.  Anyone aware otherwise?

Mark

 

I have a video about the old Denver & Rio Grande showing that they did use these idler cars on long runs between towns in areas that were dual guage track out of Salida.

Some of the books on the D&RGW I have show pictures of them being used between Alamosa and Antonito on that dual gauge section.

Jeff