So... where's the cut lever here?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Am I missing something?

I don't see a cut lever here. Or even brackets for one that might be removed.



Any idea what's going on?

[Mark5]

A few questions ...

1) What is it? Looks like a tender.
2) Was it built with link pin couplers? 

Mark

[Philip H]

I'm no steam expert but that sucker is too old to have had a cut lever

[Ed Kapuscinski]

A few questions ...

1) What is it? Looks like a tender.
2) Was it built with link pin couplers? 

Mark

1. Yep. It's the tender on 1187 (see my signature pic).
2. I think so.

I'm no steam expert but that sucker is too old to have had a cut lever

If you have a knuckle, you need SOME way to operate it, right?

[Dave V]

I'm no steam expert but that sucker is too old to have had a cut lever

Automatic couplers became standard in North America around 1903.  She wouldn't have had them installed when she was new, but by Ed's post-turn-of-the-centrury-but-before-the-Great-War era she'd have to have them.  As for the cut lever, he's the prototype...not seeing it here either:

[wazzou]

My guess is that in the environment where it is being displayed, they decided it may be prudent to remove the apparatus for fear that the temptation for someone to mess around with it would be both too great and a possible liability. 

[Dave V]

My guess is that in the environment where it is being displayed, they decided it may be prudent to remove the apparatus for fear that the temptation for someone to mess around with it would be both too great and a possible liability.

Except that the other equipment in most cases has their cut levers intact.  This is the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania at Strasburg and I know it as well as I know my own living room, LOL.

Cases in point:

[wazzou]

Then I don't know man?  Maybe they lost in the carpet?   

[Mark5]

That looks like a class project from my 8th grade shop class!

[Missaberoad]

It's a top lift coupler... you can see the pin and a loop.. the operating lever and brackets are missing but would be there in service...

[pedro]

What’s the function of the pull handle on the chain, top center of the tender?

Regardless, it looks like the pin lifter (it’s a top lift - you can see the eye where it would be connected) isn’t currently connected.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's a top lift coupler... you can see the pin and a loop.. the operating lever and brackets are missing but would be there in service...

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. And I don't even see evidence of them, which is what's really odd.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What’s the function of the pull handle on the chain, top center of the tender?

Regardless, it looks like the pin lifter (it’s a top lift - you can see the eye where it would be connected) isn’t currently connected.

I've been wondering about that thing too. It's a shame the museum isn't open right now. I'd be up there yesterday.

[Missaberoad]

Yeah. That's what I was thinking. And I don't even see evidence of them, which is what's really odd.

Perhaps just an artifact of its age... lots of those old locomotives lived pretty storied lives after retirement either in Industrial uses (not always as a locomotive) or public displays...
Its entirely possible it's been modified/rebuilt/restored so many times any evidence of the hardware is long gone.

Many of the pre 1900 restorations I'm familiar with have very little of their original features remaining.

What’s the function of the pull handle on the chain, top center of the tender?

Mark me down as wants to know too...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, I've reached out to the museum about it. Hopefully they'll have an answer the next time someone's in the office.