Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

The restoration of Car 0252/470 to its original factory condition presents many challenges and one of those is the construction of stair steps to the platform. Craig McMullen has taken on that challenge over the last couple of weeks spending many hours in research reviewing pictures, drawings and taking field measurements of other like cars in the fleet to determine the distance appropriate from bottom step to ground and the distance necessary for each step in reaching the platform. As always there is confusion as to details. One of those details was the number of steps used in the stair set. The first image is the actual Pullman floor plan 701, used in manufacture of the 10 car lot purchased by the D&RG in 1889 from the Pullman Palace Car Company. Both platforms are drawn with a three step staircase typically used on standard gauge cars. In the actual manufacturers’ side view photograph (a glass plate negative) two steps are clearly installed. When looking at the car photos it is important to remember that the cars were on standard gauge trucks with 30-inch wheels. In years following the wheel were changed to the D&RG standard of 26-inch which is the size the car is being restored to but using the original Pullman truck components of the 6-foot wheel base. Craig next created a prototype design, followed by numerous test fittings to obtain a proper size and fit to the car. Size was important as they must flush to the center platform sill which has a ½” steel angle wrapping the sill and must also match the end sill again dressed with a 3/8” steel angle on its face. The only wood to wood mounting is to the buffer beam on the rear of the platform. After achieving the proper fit a drawing was created and materials determined. Craig indicates that construction and assembly of the four stair sets was the simplest part of the job. Thanks to Craig McMullen for the marvelous craftsmanship and Tom Simco for the photos; The Illinois Railroad Museum, Pullman Library for Pullman Plan 701 and to the California Railroad Museum for the Pullman (manufactures’ production) photograph of car 466.