These graphics show the sequence of operations in replacing
a standard-gauge freight car's trucks with narrow-gauge trucks so that the freight car can be delivered
on the EBT RR.The videotape "The East Broad Top - A Living
Landmark" available from the
Friends of the East Broad Top
includes a rare black-and-white film clip showing a standard-gauge gondola having it's trucks swapped.
I've used this film, along with other published photos and some conjecture to come up with the
following sequence of operations. "Someday" I'd like to create a computer animation movie
of this sequence...
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Step 1: The standard-gauge freight car is positioned on the north side of the Timber Transfer crane, and two narrow-gauge trucks are positioned on the north and south truck sidings. The freight car is then rolled by gravity until the south-side coupler shank is centered under the Timber Transfer. [scroll down to continue] |
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Step 2: The brake rigging is disconnected from the south-side standard-gauge truck, and then the Timber Transfer crane lifts the end of the freight car body, using a sling around the coupler shank. |
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Step 3: The standard-gauge truck is rolled out from underneath the freight car body. Once the standard-gauge truck clears the south truck siding, the switch is thrown and the narrow-gauge truck is rolled towards the freight car. |
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Step 4: The freight car body is shifted sideways 10 1/2 in. to center it on the narrow-gauge truck, and then the the freight car body is lowered onto the narrow-gauge truck. Then, the brake rigging is connected to the truck. Meanwhile, the standard-gauge truck is moved onto the south truck siding. |
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Step 5: The freight car is rolled by gravity until the trailing-end coupler shank is centered underneath the Timber Transfer. Then, the brake rigging is disconnected from the trailing-end standard-gauge truck, and the end of the freight car body is lifted off the truck. Then the standard-gauge truck is rolled northwards until it clears the north truck siding, then the switch is thrown and the narrow-gauge truck is rolled towards the freight car. |
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Step 6: The narrow-gauge truck is rolled underneath the freight car, and then the freight car body is shifted sideways 10 1/2 in. to center it on the narrow-gauge truck. The freight car body is then lowered onto the narrow-gauge truck, and the brake rigging is connected to the truck. |
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Step 7: The freight car is rolled south by gravity. It will then have coupler adapters installed on both ends, and will be made up into the consist. Meanwhile, the two standard-gauge trucks are rolled underneath the Timber Transfer crane. |
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Step 8: The standard-gauge trucks are lifted (one at a time) by the Timber Transfer crane and moved to the east side track for storage. |