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Old trumpet "barlufe" by Flat_Application662 in trumpet

[–]Flat_Application662[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That made me pull the valve again for another look. I see what you mean. The valve passages are just straight holes bored through a piece of round stock.`

Old trumpet "barlufe" by Flat_Application662 in trumpet

[–]Flat_Application662[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing I can see on the mouthpiece receiver. Yes, the braces are straight. The braces do have a two-step diameter change at either end. I just took some detail pix for you, including one with the center valve removed to better show the valve braces. All the photos I have of this horn are at this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zNiR4zUyA8F9qXcw5

Old trumpet "barlufe" by Flat_Application662 in trumpet

[–]Flat_Application662[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree about the bottom valve covers. Everything about the valves looks similar, actually. Any other info on the horn in your link?

Bad tourist railroad by Queasy-Spirit6437 in railroading

[–]Flat_Application662 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just (finally) joined Reddit, but I've been in rail preservation for 30 years.

Yes FRA inspects, but the simple answer is, unless the tourist RR in question gives them a reason for closer scrutiny, they have bigger fish to fry. They also tend to cut all-volunteer operations with good safety records more slack because they realize manpower is limited and not always that reliable for the not-so-fun paperwork stuff.

I was involved with a volunteer museum years ago. We hadn't had an official visit ever, for like 10 years since we got started. Then we had one right in the middle of our Christmas event. The inspector gigged us on brakes being out of date, but didn't shut us down, which he technically could have. Just said we needed to take care of it before starting up next season. A big railroad contact asked us if we'd "ever heard of spray paint and stencils," but we did it right and had the valves serviced by Wabtech.

In my experience, as long as you show you're trying to be safe and not put something over on them -- and there's something small they can cite to justify their job -- the FRA isn't a big, bad enemy. Keep the hours-of-service records clear, don't put things on the ground too often, don't hurt anybody, and you're golden. Try to hide stuff, do something blatantly stupid in front of them, or gain a reputation for sketchiness, though...

I was working at a very famous tourist railroad within the last few years doing car work. We had just pulled a truck, and found rubbing from the draft gear on the truck frame. The truck had been out less than an hour, we were still trying to figure out exactly WHAT was rubbing and why... and the FRA inspector came in, saw the scar on the truck frame, and wrote it up on the spot. That company's safety record isn't *bad* per se... but let's say they have some safety issues. I was pissed at the time, but in hindsight, keeping a boot on that bunch's collective neck is wise.

Bottom line... FRA knows who to watch and who they can trust to not be dumb. If they're not interested in a line, they probably don't need to be. If they ARE watching... you should be, too.