brake wheels

[robman]

Hi guys 'n' girls. Just a quickie. Was there any correct direction of travel for box cars etc regarding the brake wheel? Should it be to the front or rear of the wagon upon departure? I was told always to the rear, but what if it was returning, it would then be at the wrong end.Just wondering.Rob. Kiwiland.   

[hgcHO]

You are lucky - I asked the same question not to long ago and got answers here and from old members of a train club and - a retired Santa Fe Engineer.   "Don't matter" 

[rogertra]

It doesn't matter.

For maintenance purposes, the end with the brake wheel was and is, always the "B" end.  "B" = "brake".  Easy to remember.

While it doesn't matter which end is the front and back when it comes to loading, it may matter which side the car should be unloaded from as the lading may be placed hard against the door opposite the loading dock and thus that door may be too dangerous or too difficult to open.  In this case, the car will have a black on white label stapled to the door not to be opened  that will read "Open Other Side".  This makes and interesting switching move as the car may need to be turned on a wye or the enginehouse turntable in order to place the corroct side for unloading against the loading dock.

I have one or two cars on my GER with this label attached on a boxcar door.  Keeps me on my toes while switching.

[robman]

Thanks Roger. I like the little tip about "don't use this door". A few surprise tags on a couple of box cars on my friends layout will send his perfectionist switching crews into a frenzy. The neat thing is that although he has two turntables, they are some distance from the industrial areas where they do a lot of switching. This is gonna be good,I'll set it up when I go and set up the roster.Thanks once again, stay on track. Cheers Rob. 

[SteamGene]

The other thing which may matter - does matter would be a box car with a lumber door or an auto door.   IIRC, these were always on the "A" end - the end opposite the "B" end.
Gene

[rogertra]

The other thing which may matter - does matter would be a box car with a lumber door or an auto door.   IIRC, these were always on the "A" end - the end opposite the "B" end.
Gene

'Cause the brake wheel etc., would be in the way on the "B" end I guess.