Wheel stops and bumpers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. I have pictures of some of the simpler ones, which I can post later. I am curious about this one, however, with the strange looking gizmos which seem to be there to trap the wheels of whatever hits it. Anybody have any details about its use? Sorry for the soft focus. I don't know what my autofocus was thinking. [ 02. March 2004, 14:57: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Peirce, those were just what you said. Usually placed at the end of alley stub sidings where a number of businesses have cars spotted. We each had "Hand-walkers" so we could move an empty car out from in front of our loading dock doorway, and bring the next one in to location for loading. Occasionally someone down the line would get one going too fast and it would hit the bumpers and bounce back rolling back far enough to start another which started another, etc and soon there was a string of cars slowly rolling out across the street. Some one would holler, and one of us would have to run climb up and set the brakes. Can't do that now days with no ladders or roof walks. This kind of bumper kept the car from rolling back. It also captured the next car comming fast, because it would couple up.
Wayne, there must be something you don't know Thanks for the description, a very clever, but simple solution
The extensions on the wheel stops also serve to use the weight of the first axle to keep the stops in place as an added bonus. I have seen many wheel stops fall over or slide back when struck by a car. This set-up would have a more positive stopping ability as well as preventing roll-back..
It is easy to pull off with an engine, but can not be done with a wheel walker. The space between to dead stop and the check stop is enough to allow the car's weight to help with the momentum to ride up over the small check stops. I have seen an 0-6-0 slip when doing this if he did not set the car against the dead stops, then open her up to GO! It does make a loud CLANG when the car bounces into this thing at night when you are working and don't expect it. You don't hear a car slowly rolling.
Alan, I second that, Wayne must know everything. Glad to have you aboard to help us all out. Thanks a Bunch!
Here is a true bumper. The manufacturer's name on the label is Hayes. That is Bill Britt, a volumteer member of the Danbury Railway Museum, doing the paint job. [ 02. March 2004, 14:59: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Peirce, You said you have some photos of some of the simpler ones... Could you post a couple please? I would really like to see them. Thanks, Joseph
Here are a couple of simpler wheel stops in place at the Danbury Railway Museum. There are one or two even more simple in the DRM yard. I won't describe them until I photograph them. [ 02. March 2004, 15:03: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Good photos Pierce! Just what I need on my model railroad But I will wait to see the 'even simpler' ones
My next scheduled time at the DRM is on the 22nd of this month. I will try to take those shots at that time. Then it will merely be a matter of finishing the film and processing it.
OK, here they are, extremely simple wheel stops. Simple: Even more simple: These may keep them stopped, but won't do much to stop a moving rail car. [ 03 February 2002, 02:51: Message edited by: Peirce ]
I think I will go with this type in some of my yard tracks. A bit small in N scale though But painted white or yellow they should stand out a bit! [ 03 February 2002, 02:55: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Alan- I do not have the current Model railroader in front of me, but there is a company advertising these wheel stops in both N-scale and HO scale near the back of the magazine. They look pretty nice but about as small as the ditch lights I purchased for my GP38's! If you do not get MRR I will look it up for you later. (Then again, you are quite the worker in resins yourself! ) Happy Railroading guys! Russ Hoffman Valley RR
Now, this is really inexpensive, this wheel is about three inches above the rail. Inexpensive, until you consider... ... this is what is holding it up there. That is not your imagination. The crane truck (actually a huge wrecker) is off the ground too. It was totally supported by its outriggers when I shot this picture. [ 03 February 2002, 03:02: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Just had to stick my nose in on this one. You for got one off the oldest wheel stops ever used in railroading. At least as far as I know. This bumper is found on a M of W siding in Silver Creek NY. Here is an idea for easy car bumper. I wanted something easy to make yet something that I could use on all my sidings for the most part, on my MRR. . I was wanting to keep some uniformity to them and here is the stop I used. There made of scrap rail and soldered into place. Please remember when your done soldering to cut at least one of the rails just in front of the bumper. If you don't it will short out the track! ( NOT GOOD!). These bumpers are sturdy and look nice. Best of all it takes less then 3 min. to make just one.
