Model Railroading > Wheel Chocks

When spoting cars, instead of applying a handbrake, brakemen will frequently use scraps of wood as chocks, placed on top of the rail against the tread and flange of a wheel to keep a car from rolling.

Several industry spots on my G scale Minnesota Midland RR also require securing cars that have been spotted, and here we see an example.  Flat toothpicks work great, and I usually leave one or two trackside where chocking cars may be required.

-LD

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Very true observation.
Now you can add to your scene with some crunched up bits of wood there because crews knew an engine could simply pull the wheel over the chock and they did not have to bend down and remove it.

railstiesballast Wrote:
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> Very true observation.
> Now you can add to your scene with some crunched
> up bits of wood there because crews knew an engine
> could simply pull the wheel over the chock and
> they did not have to bend down and remove it.

I'll chew on that.

-LD

Chew a little more - LOL.  I've never seen chocks that long in the real world.

boejoe Wrote:
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> Chew a little more - LOL.  I've never seen chocks
> that long in the real world.

True. Stix that long wouldn't be convenient to Carry very far. But, these are more easily handled by my 12 inch scale fingers. :-)

-LD

How commonly were these rail skates used and where were they kept? BN 624127 68' Thrall center-beam flatcar with rail skate in February 1977 (Steven Vincent photo).

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I still do this in 1:1 scale on occasion. Particularly when leaving a car or locomotive on a grade where it may get tampered with. Lots of pieces of old rotten ties laying around to use for that.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/21 14:40 by funnelfan.

True BNSF story from Northtown Yard Minneapolls. A switchman brought what was left of a portable into my office. He used it as wheel chock!  Radio shop was notified.

Ed Burns
Retired Terml Supt's Clerk.

NPEDDIE Wrote:
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> True BNSF story from Northtown Yard Minneapolls. A
> switchman brought what was left of a portable into
> my office. He used it as wheel chock!  Radio shop
> was notified.
>
> Ed Burns
> Retired Terml Supt's Clerk.

Did it hold the car?

Never did know!

Ed Burns