I have decided it is time my locos had a crew in the cab. Thing is how do you know what side of the cab the driver sat in the different types of loco. Was there a set format laid down somewhere, or was it left to the loco builders. Also did the crews all wear the same blue boilersuits, or was this something that varied between different companies.
Bob
You need to know if the loco was left or right hand drive. Some companies stuck rigorously to one or the other but a few had a mixture. Looking on the outside of the loco, if it has a reversing rod which is visible (not often on tanks) then that is the driver's side. In my time drivers did not wear boiler suits. Denim type jackets and serge trousers (you need something to catch the sparks) with oily caps. Almost always in a middle blue shade for the jacket and black for the trousers (but sometimes denim type trousers were seen).
The LMS standardised on LH drive for new locos but possessed a lot of RHD inherited from constituents. The LNER started off LHD and then changed and there are locos in the same class with different driving sides. Can I suggest you have a look at photos, preferably of your actual model loco if you can find one. If you can't see a reversing rod then it is a fair chance that it is on the other side. BR standards were all LHD.
Alistair Wright
Thanks for the info, with some research it should not be too difficult to sort out following your advice.
Bob
If your talking about british diesels the controls are on the left hand side of the cab, (oposite side to uk driving standard) eu or us im not sure, kettles ive got no idea. hope this helps.
"ViP" wrote
Kettles varied depending upon the company.
John.
Ex- broad gauge drivers proudly kept their white fustian jackets.
Sit down? Boiler Suits? Real railway men stood up all the way and wore jacket and trousers, topped off with a bowler!
Ken.
And they didn't have cabs either!
And used to eat gravel at side of road...if they were LUCKY!
In message , Ken Parkes writes
Not since 63 they didn't.
1863?
Guy
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If you've got a steam loco model and it has an obvious reversing rod along the boiler side, then that's the side for the driver. Regards,
Bill.
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