I have a bunch of flat cars I am getting up to speed and I have a number of Ertl (Tichy) that I am upgrading but what I noticed is the brake wheels are large compared to my other flat cars by alot. So the question is, were there brake wheels this large?
Paging through the sections on hand brake appliances in the 1940 Car Builders Cyclopedia I found reference to a "Minimum 15" diameter wheel on a vertical brake staff, preferably 16""
It appears that the vertical shaft wheels were of the smaller size and the horizontal, geared brake wheels were 18" to 22".
Of course, there are many variations and exceptions.
Good Luck, Ed