Model Railroading > flat car help

Anyone know what the two square bracket is for just ahead of the vert grab iron? I\'ve noticed that a lot of the ITTX flats have these. Some intact, others cut off half way down. I was guessing they had something to do with storing bridge plates???

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Part of the folding pedestal assembly used for saddleback truck loading (which is what ITTX cars were originally used for). The hinged pedestal platforms have been removed. The vertical post was originally equipped with a hook that was used to secure the pedestal platform when it was stored in the "up" position.

rackman wrote

<<<Part of the folding pedestal assembly used for saddleback truck loading (which is what ITTX cars were originally used for). The hinged pedestal platforms have been removed. The vertical post was originally equipped with a hook that was used to secure the pedestal platform when it was stored in the "up" position.>>>

Makes sense, but for the life of me I cant picture how it all comes together. What you described that is.

Pictures from George Elwood\'s Fallen Flags web site:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ttx/ittx962463ags.jpg

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ttx/ittx962468ags.jpg

Also:

http://www.trainweb.org/marcrailfan/ittx930924b.jpg

The above photos show the fold-away pedestals stored in the "up" position.

I made a mistake in my original post. The vertical post with the grab iron was used to secure the bridge plate [that spans the gap between the cars] in the "up" position. The bridge plates have been removed from the cars shown.

Rackman

Modeling articles:

"Build A Truck Transporter Flatcar," by Jim Slaughter, Railroad Model Craftsman, December 1983 page 64

"ITTX Saddleback," by Jim Panza, RMC April 1978, page 66

Hope that this helps,

Rackman