How many folks out there have restored an old heavyweight coach, and have had to replace the old window lift latches?? I am curious to know what solutions have been found that stay with the era of the equipment. I am currently working on some ex CN heavy weight commutor coaches from the 1920's.

Ryan

Is Hornbergers still in business?

dave

That's an easy one. Adams and Westlake Ltd. still makes them. Their website is http://www.adlake.com/. Click on "Products".

Last I knew the Hornbergers were still in business from a location up in Oregon -- probably run by the son. And I think OERM is still buying tie plugs, track tools and similar items from them. They have represented a number of manufacturers; years ago I bought both Adlake and JL Howard items through them for the Museum.

I googled Hornberger and came up with the following information from ThomasNet (Thomas Guide folks):
RB Hornberger Co.
3900 24th Ave., Bay #2
Forest Grove, OR 97116-2263
Phone: 503-357-8931
Fax: 503-357-7554

Good, I checked out Adlake and didn't find window latches and track.

dave

They carried them until a year or two ago. To tell the truth, I did look at it carefully this time. I only assumed they still carried them.

At the RMNE we operate the same CN heavyweights for our Naugatuck RR excursion train service. We are in the process of replacing the existing sash in the cars as they have reached the end of their useful service life. These cars have the original ratchet and pawl system which given their advanced age have become extremely unreliable. Since the cars are not considered for receiving museum quality restoration given their service we have decided to replace this system with a window latch that the Strasburg has developed. The Strasburg latch is a two piece machined brass casting which mounts on the sash stop. It consists of a mounting plate and a free moving lever which rests against the window sash. When the window is raised past the lever it drops down by gravity and the window then rests against the lever providing a secure lock. The height of the window can be set to a predetermined height depending on where the latch is mounted. A brass strip is installed on the bottom edge of the sash to help prevent wear at the lever-window interface point.

Many years ago, when my beard was brown, we were rebuilding the old Bethlehem Battleship cars from Quakertown at Spencer and had a lot of sash rot, unreliable highly worn latches, and no money.

We cut some little notched sticks from plywood, which worked like the Strasburg latches, sort of. You would raise the window, and swivel the stick up so that when you lowered the window, it would catch in the notch, remaning open at a predetermined height. Gravity and shaking down the track just held it tighter.

Cost was a scrap chunk of plywood, and a package of slightly longer screws.

I understand the old sash finally did give up entirely, and with funding, probably real latches have now been reinstalled.

dave

You have to look under "Locks" not under window accessories or some other catagory.


#78 Sash Lock ........ #1482 Sash Lock(stainless steel)

I'd inquiry of Adlake regarding the appropriate track for these sash locks

Ryan,

Here at Heber Valley we are also in the middle of complete window replacement of a CN Heavy weight coach. We have built all new window frames, sills, and sashes. I choose to use a window latch that is produced by The Phoenix Lock Company. Their website, www.phoenixlock.com

Their website has pictures of the different styles that are available. I choose to use window catch #207L and #207R. The installation is very simple. However, you will have to find a distributer near you as The Phoenix Lock Company will not sell to you direct.

I was able to purchase the hardware from Restoration Supply Company located in Escondido, CA. You can conatct them at 800-306-7008. Or go to www.RestorationStuff.com

Michael Manwiller