What is the typical height for an END railing on a caboose? Was there ever standard practice for these?
I suspect originally it was left to the particular RR to specify, depending on how average height of their employees... There are specifications for railings etc nowadays, not just specific to RR equipment, but when those "standards" were universally adopted I cannot say but someone else might. Are you modelling a specific RR and/or caboose class? there are a lot of drawings of a lot of equipment on the internets so a search for a drawing/GA may bring one up for you. If you can't find it online, chances are someone on this forum will model that RR and have books or reference material that will be able to give you the information. If it N&W/VGN/B&O/C&O I could probably dig it for you.
Not modeling any specific operation. Freelancing in HOn30 scale. But as I am about to detail a caboose kit, the thought came to me that I had never seen any specific references to such data. Curiosity got to me.
From what I see the end rails height seem to coincide with and tie onto the tops of the hand brake mechanism, not the brake wheel but the mechanism itself. The end rails on the cab seem to be a bit lower though. Stem winders may be a whole nother story. Maybe an AAR spec is it there.
I forgot to check our wood C&O cab to measure the height the last time I was there. I will compare them to the other 3 cabs we have as well. Give me a week or so.
We worked with a former WM caboose from time-to-time (MoW) when I was still in 1:1 scale. This was 12-13 years ago. If I remember right, the hand rails are fairly high, probably around 42 inches. I’m 6 feet tall and I specifically remember the railing was just above belly button height on me. Here is an image from the Mid Continent Railway Museum (not mine): Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Railings mounted on end walls all seem to be about 30". Railings on GTW transfer caboose all about 40". Railing cross piece on end platform of wood caboose 36". Lowest railing cross piece on newer cabooses both about 40".
