In the CP Sig documents library is a drawing titles "SIDES HANDHOLD POCKET" for
CPR coaching stock, drawing B-14-C-860. This appears to be a drawing to show
how these pockets will be retrofitted to the cars.
Yet a 2200-series coach sides drawing G-14-C-749 dated 7 April, 1952, from the
Sig's documents library, appears to show the handhold pockets from the handhold
pocket drawing installed in the car sides.
A May, 1952 photo of these coaches in J.F.Garden's "Nicholas Morant's Canadian
Pacific" on page 386, shows the grabirons mounted directly to the car sides at
the blind end. There is no evidence of handhold pockets at this time.
A photo on page 6 of Ralph Beaumont's "Steam Trains to the Bruce" shows G5 1263
pulling a two-car passenger train over a bridge. The second car is a 2234-2298
series coach, and has handhold pockets on the blind end of the car.
Were some of these cars built with handhold pockets, or were all retrofitted,
and if so, when?
I have a NorWest kit for this coach series, and I'm still trying to figure this
out. Your thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Steve Lucas.
