Mink bracing rods?

[george stein]

Among OO scale kits, the Ratio Mink wagons have bracing rods between the axle boxes.  The Cooper Craft and P-D (now Peco) do not.  Two questions: (1) is there a basic logic to which vans received bracing rods and (2) were wagons "retrofitted" with bracing rods?  Basically, the rods visually improve a wagon and I was wondering about their general use.

 

Thanks

George

North Carolina

 

p.s. stay safe during these trying times

[mike morley]

Vans that were vacuum fitted had the bracing rods, to counteract the greater power of the brakes forcing the W irons apart.  The only vac-fitted exceptions were the few that had clasp brakes

[WillCav]

There are a few non-vacuum fitted wagons which had tie rods - I always work from a photo or info in the Atkins, Beard etc GWR wagons 'bible'. I can't remember if any vans were in that category though.

Will

[Steamport Southport]

Tie bars is the proper name.

 

I tend to replace them with the Cambrian Models etched ones as the plastic ones are normally very fragile.

 

https://www.cambrianmodelrail.co.uk/store/Etched-Tie-Bars-c25693290

 

 

 

Jason

[george stein]

Ah, air brakes. Of course.   And yes, I have the Cambrian tie rods which I intend for the Ratio air-braked wagons.

 

Thanks all for informative replies.

 

George

North Carolina

[bécasse]

Not air brakes, vacuum brakes!

 

[Miss Prism]

Where they were fitted, the style of tiebar differed. V12 and V16 minks seem to have round section, whereas V14 and later (certainly by RCH times) had rectangular strip section.