The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

Rolling Stock => Wagons => Topic started by: Jon Nazareth on Aug 09 2014 10:28

Title: strap hinges
Post by: Jon Nazareth on Aug 09 2014 10:28
Good morning

Does the team think that this strap hinge is held and hinges on a big staple?  I've looked and looked and can't think of another way in which it works.

Regards
Jon
Title: Re: strap hinges
Post by: MikeWilliams on Aug 09 2014 10:59
Don't know Jon and the detail drawings I have are from a later period with more robust hinges.  However, I am intrigued by the straps on those hinges and the "spare" holes.  Have they perhaps been re-used from an even earlier wagon?

Also, maybe its my eyesight but some of the holes don't look to be in the centre of the strap.  Makes me feel better when the odd one of my bolt heads strays off-centre!

Mike
Title: Re: strap hinges
Post by: Jon Nazareth on Aug 09 2014 14:06
I've seen these hinges on early LBSCR wagons as well as some up to say, late 1880s.  They've always puzzled me and as I mentioned earlier, I can only think that it hinges on a sort of staple.

Regards
Jon
Title: Re: strap hinges
Post by: Geoff Nicholls on Aug 09 2014 14:24
Jon,
My LBSC round ended open wagon is a much later version c1911, but still uses the same design of hinge. I don't think it is a staple, as the ends are square. Even the official LBSC drawings I have don't show it clearly, but I believe it is as per the attached sketch.
The Bluebell line has restored one of these later wagons, you can see it on their website, and you should be able to go and have a close look, if you're in that area.
Title: Re: strap hinges
Post by: Jon Nazareth on Aug 09 2014 17:50

Thanks, Geoff, that explains a lot.  I had another search for an explanation and I found a picture of a wagon where I could just make out a rebate or housing cut into the floor where the 'pin' would have sat.  There is still the question though of how it was fixed to the floor.  There must have been a 'tail' of some description that would have had screw holes where it then would have been fixed by.

Anyway, your picture answers my question and, thanks again.

Regards
Jon