| Posted by on March 2, 2012 | |
Great shot, Sid! That brake trailer was called a "brake sled" by the L&N. It's a former Pere Marquette steam locomotive tender the L&N acquired about 1950 with several ex-C&O 12-wheel tenders that were then attached to J-4 class Heavy USRA Mikes to extend their range. This particular tender was later cut down, and filled with concrete. The brakes are tied to the engine's independent brake, so that gives the engineer brake shoes on 20 wheels rather than eight. Trains loaded downgrade here, and it was QUITE steep! The car was later sold to USS and repainted as shown here. And--it still exists at this site (although the mine was closed in the '70s).
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Nice catch with all those brand new bottom or rotary dump mine cars in the background!
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