WOW!!!
What an impressive restoration. The gondola looks fantastic.
Here’s a nice write up in the Durango Herald on the car:
Durango Herald Article
Nice coincidence. I just finished detailing two LGB high side gondolas. Although they are a little different style (#1530) then the #1400 car restored.
Link to LGB Gondola thread
Really nice restoration, and the write up and pics are a wealth of information.
What is the reasoning behind sistering the majority of the side post ?
The Original D&RG class 14 gons built in 1902 were rated at 25 tons, and had 40’ (4 x 10 ‘’) side boards. When the whole series were rebuilt in 1923 to 1926, the railroad wanted to get the full 25 tons of coal in the cars, and as the 40 height allowed only 20 tons, they decided to raise the side boards to 50" ( 5 x 10" ). To raise the sides the, the stakes were grafted to the existing stakes, But when repaired from damage, or if the original stakes were in bad shape, the whole stake was replaced to the top. This procedure of random replacement left the series with a wide verity of stake placement, of which there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. of “sistered” stakes on the known cars.
This car was restored to match what existed on this car when gotten By the D&S NGRR.
EDIT: Here is the link to the Durango Railroad Historical Socity website with more Imfo:
http://www.drhs315.org/blog/projects/high-side-gondola/history/
Thank you Dave.
Update: The Finished GON has been moved to Silverton and put on display on the connecting track from the Silverton Northern Engine House to the D&S Loop.
The finished GON on Display.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/GONfinal_zpsd4e5b696.jpg)
With engine 315 in Antonito for the winter, Needed work on the engine house can be done. The track will be extended rearward an extra 35 feet, and the two restored gons can be put inside, out of the fierce Rockies winter.
