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The Travelling Post Office

Carriage Terminology

Reference Picture 1Ref 1 : Wooden Framework

1) Bottomside - This is a length of wood (often made up from several shorter lengths) that runs the whole length of the coach, one on either side.

2) End Bar - This is a length of wood that joins the two Bottomsides together, one at each end of the coach.

3) Cross Member - These are located at various intervals along the coach and cross from one bottomside to the other, these enable the longitudinals (4) to be held in place and then the flooring can be laid and secured in place. Note: Cross Members are also known as Crossbars or Partition Bearers.

4) Longitudinals - These short sections of wood run the length of the coach between the cross members (3).

5) Upright - Normally an upright will be fitted to the bottomside (1) by a tenon and mortise joint, this then extends to the cant rail where it is again joined by a tenon and mortise joint. However, on a TPO some coaches have two uprights with a large section of wood in between, this allows for the inclusion of sorting fittings inside the coach. Note: Uprights are also known as Pillars.

Reference Picture 2Ref 2 : Wooden Framework

1) Bottomside - See Ref 1 Number 1.

2) Knee Bracket - The bracket is used to secure the upright (3) to the Bottomside (1).

3) Upright - See Ref 1 Number 5.

4) Rubber Pad - Used as packing between the chassis and the bottomside (1).

5) Body Bolt - Bolts the bottomside to the chassis..

Reference Picture 3Ref 3 : Wooden Framework

1) Upright - See Ref 1 Number 5.

2) Upright - See note in Ref 1 Number 5 about two uprights with a large section of wood in between (3).

3) Actual name of this section is not known - middle rail?.

4) Rails - The uprights are joined by various 'rails', these are known as 'top light rail' and 'bottom light rail' if there is a window that requires a frame or a 'waist rail' if it is used to join two adjacent uprights.