Derrell, could it be the corner irons that are unlike the solid, continuous ones we usually envision? By the way, Merry Christmas to you, Darel, and all the others here. It fun to spend time with ya. Pat Hollingsworth
Good comments, guys. I didn't notice that the dry Transfers were crooked... perhaps because my computer screen is crooked....?
But Darel nailed the most obvious clue that this photo was probably taken before 1903 - that is the presence of the L&P couplers. Of course, he cheats. He sees the comments before anyone else. Hah! You didn't think I noticed, D.
Ar-hmmm!
Anyway. The other clue I was thinking of is one that is specific to the type of car that this is and I really didn't expect anyone to know... so! I cheated too.
This is a St. Charles built, fall of 1898 vintage, coal car - that has the frame that became the basis of all modern C&Sng freight cars. The cars built by the C&S in 1902 were nearly direct copies of this group of cars. The St.C cars had double plate bolsters, segmented corner irons, and Rigid style archbar trucks while the C&S Coals had cast bolster, single piece corner irons and ASF archbar trucks. The St. C cars had something else that the C&S coals didn't have - end stakes. (The C&S coals and flats probably never had L&P couplers either.)
These stakes are the clue I was talking about. Photos of St.C. cars demonstrate that after 1902 the end stakes were removed. That odd coupler lift bar and "wrap around" grab iron seems to disappear as well.
So, okay. Everyone who entered the discussion gets a gold star anyway. Keep looking. This is an excellent photo and thanks to my good friend Bob GOM Boorman for sharing it!
How do I know this shot was probably taken before 1902? There are at least two reasons.
ReplyDeleteLink and pin, and the crooked dry transfers. I am obviously too anal when it comes to doing such things.
Delete...makes me feel better about the occasional crooked grab iron, too.
ReplyDeleteKeith
Derrell, could it be the corner irons that are unlike the solid, continuous ones we usually envision?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Merry Christmas to you, Darel, and all the others here. It fun to spend time with ya.
Pat Hollingsworth
Because Walthers hadn't invented Solvaset yet?
ReplyDelete...Bill
Note too the mini coupler pin lift bar. Definately foreshadowing things to come. You really had to stand in between cars to lift (or drop) the pin!
ReplyDeleteKeith
Good comments, guys. I didn't notice that the dry Transfers were crooked... perhaps because my computer screen is crooked....?
ReplyDeleteBut Darel nailed the most obvious clue that this photo was probably taken before 1903 - that is the presence of the L&P couplers. Of course, he cheats. He sees the comments before anyone else. Hah! You didn't think I noticed, D.
Ar-hmmm!
Anyway. The other clue I was thinking of is one that is specific to the type of car that this is and I really didn't expect anyone to know... so! I cheated too.
This is a St. Charles built, fall of 1898 vintage, coal car - that has the frame that became the basis of all modern C&Sng freight cars. The cars built by the C&S in 1902 were nearly direct copies of this group of cars. The St.C cars had double plate bolsters, segmented corner irons, and Rigid style archbar trucks while the C&S Coals had cast bolster, single piece corner irons and ASF archbar trucks. The St. C cars had something else that the C&S coals didn't have - end stakes. (The C&S coals and flats probably never had L&P couplers either.)
These stakes are the clue I was talking about. Photos of St.C. cars demonstrate that after 1902 the end stakes were removed. That odd coupler lift bar and "wrap around" grab iron seems to disappear as well.
So, okay. Everyone who entered the discussion gets a gold star anyway. Keep looking. This is an excellent photo and thanks to my good friend Bob GOM Boorman for sharing it!