> How did it end up in Wisconsin? How was it
> used over the years?

Sold off to the Thunder Lake Lumber Company by the PM after the last of its lines were standard-gauged. It was primarily used as a "private car" and hunting cabin thereafter.

>It seems like it really should be kept indoors.

I agree. Even though the D.B. is not yet cosmetically restored, it is under cover.

TJG



tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

Yes they are, I am told that the only other pair around is on a passenger car at the Nevada State
RR Museum.

Glen Guerrea just made a replica set for the passenger car he restored at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Ted Miles


ted_miles@nps.gov

TJ,

What is the DB you are talking about?

Is she a narrow gauge steam engine?

And isn't the car in rhinelander now a combine? With doors rather crudely added to the car, most likely by the Lumber Company.


ted_miles@nps.gov

> TJ,

> What is the DB you are talking about?

Ted,

See the link below. She is 3ft gauge; and would seem an appropiate engine to display with it.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Port Huron & Northwestern RR No. 1
james@survivingworldsteam.com

> TJ,

> What is the DB you are talking about?

> Is she a narrow gauge steam engine?

> And isn't the car in rhinelander now a
> combine? With doors rather crudely added to
> the car, most likely by the Lumber Company.

Sorry, I'm talking about our 1878-built 2-4-0 Porter, the only serving steam engine from the PH&NW, and yes, its is a 3 foot gauge engine.

TJG

tjgaffney@phmuseum.org

The question is, "how, or why, did a single set of Miller hook couplers survive?" -- on a car.

> The question is, "how, or why, did a
> single set of Miller hook couplers
> survive?" -- on a car.
The Thunder lake was a link and pin logging road and the Millers on the car are slotted and drilled to accept a link and pin. No need to change them. Its my understanding most of the Millers were made that way,it makes sense.
The spring platforms have beem modified but the couplers are all there. I have pictures around here somewhere.
Mike Nix



2rivers@upstel.net

> Yes they are, I am told that the only other
> pair around is on a passenger car at the
> Nevada State
> RR Museum.

> Glen Guerrea just made a replica set for the
> passenger car he restored at the
> Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

The set on V&T coach #4 is a replica set. The SPCRR group made up a replica set for its narrow gauge combine SP #1010. Both of these were made based upon trade journal drawings, etc.

Since that time, an example of a Miller hook was found to be up at Sumpter Valley.

Brian Norden


bnorden49@earthlink.net

Then the Thunder Lake coach is the last one with original Millers?

> The set on V&T coach #4 is a replica
> set. The SPCRR group made up a replica set
> for its narrow gauge combine SP #1010. Both
> of these were made based upon trade journal
> drawings, etc.

> Since that time, an example of a Miller hook
> was found to be up at Sumpter Valley.

> Brian Norden


2rivers@upstel.net

> Then the Thunder Lake coach is the last one
> with original Millers?

As far as known.

Some cars kept part of the Miller draft gear when they were converted to knuckle couplers. I have been told that the former C&C coach at OERM still retains part of the Miller draft gear. And there are a number of platform hand rails with slots for the release lever.

One interesting thing is that the electrified 3-foot gauge Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn continued to use Miller hook couplers until it quit in the late 1930s.

Brian Norden

bnorden49@earthlink.net

I am not sure if they are Miller's, but the couplers on the Hercules and combination car at Mammoth Cave KY were pretty old looking. There was also a rather complete set of vacuum brakes on the equipment. Its been many years since I saw them.

> I am not sure if they are Miller's, but the
> couplers on the Hercules and combination car
> at Mammoth Cave KY were pretty old looking.
> There was also a rather complete set of
> vacuum brakes on the equipment. Its been
> many years since I saw them.

Those are Van Dorns. It's the only steam locomotive around with these couplers, I think. It's also the only installation where the car and the tender are equipped with pin lifter mechanisms, just like you'd have with normal knuckle couplers. This makes it impossible to take advantage of the usual radial draft gear with Van Dorns, but I guess they didn't have any sharp curves on the Mammoth Cave line.