This bracket of sorts has been noticed on the end of a couple of heavyweight L&N coaches with end shelves. Can anyone identify its purpose?

For hanging safety chains?

Perhaps a hook for the blue lantern?

I'm with hanging a lantern, A brakeman can hang the lantern on it while making moves riding the car. There are stirrups and grabholds right there.

Ha, ha! RR spends money on lantern hanger. You hang onto your lantern so you can use it. You put it down and then fall down, nobody's going to see you and who knows what happens to you then?

That practical advice written, a marker light or blue globe lantern could be hung on it. Considering the hand brake is just above it, that could be some idea of a safety device one could use to brace a foot against as one wraps on a good brake.

It appears to have been important enough to repair at some point.
A beat up hex-head bolt and square-head fastener hold it in place.

John

Hi
I 'll take a guess, how about a bracket on which to hang the air whistle hose when backing into a station?

It's a shunter's coat hook!

To me, it looks like an accident waiting to happen. Slip while setting that hand brake and impale yourself. No thanks.

is there one on the other side?

another idea is a flag holder, but I would think flag markers would be near a marker light holder on either side so you could use the flag/marker light rules associated to the train operation.

I think the air whistle would be operated up from the doorway, there may be some hook up there.

curious find here.

The bracket can be found on both sides at both ends of the cars. So 4 total.


[quote="dinwitty"]is there one on the other side?

another idea is a flag holder, but I would think flag markers would be near a marker light holder on either side so you could use the flag/marker light rules associated to the train operation.

I think the air whistle would be operated up from the doorway, there may be some hook up there.

curious find here.[/quote]

summerj -

I have my own idea, but it would strictly be a guess (like everyone else's). I wonder though if that SOMEWHERE there might be photographic evidence. There has to be a few photos out there of the ends of L&N heavyweights in service. No one was looking for evidence of these "thingamajiggy's", but perhaps one of those photos might provide the answer. Those folks that have L&N photos might take another look.


Les

At one time perhaps they had some chain on both the air & steam lines (I assuming its that old); and this was a place to "retain" them when not connected?