|Photo Credit: http://wheelsthatwonthewest.|
In writing my book I ran into the fact that my characters use wagons to get around town--when they're not on horseback. I have no experience with wagons so I did some research on them to learn the names of the parts and how a person would go about climbing into a wagon (I guessed there would be a step but I wasn't sure).
My favorite website I found in researching wagons is a PDF written by Kelsie Harder: http://www.canvocta.org/PDF/A%20Vocabulary%20of%20Wagon%20Parts.pdf
Some of the wagon terminology I learned is:
- Axle- The wooden bar that is placed under the running gear and on which the wheels are set; each wagon has two axles.
- Bed- All sides of the structure set on the frame, usually called wagon bed.
- Brake or Block- A thick piece of wood attached to the brake beam; serves when pulled against the back wheel to slow or stop the wagon.
- Brought-on Wagon- A wagon that was bought from a manufacturer.
- Dry out- To lose moisture, as the wooden parts of the wheels.
- Fifth Wheel- An iron-sliding bar in the shape of a circle placed on the front running gear in order to give the front of the wagon free play in turning or in being guided.
- Front Gate- Removable front portion of the wagon bed.
- Sand Bed- A wagon bed with half sides; used when sand is being hauled.
- Side Boards- Removable sides of the wagon bed. The bed is referred to as a double bed when two side boards are in place, etc.
- Sun Cracks- Cracks that appear in a wooden hub; split places caused by the weight pressure exerted on the hub.
- Tail Gate- Removable back portion of the wagon.
- Tongue- A long, heavy piece of wood used to guide the wagon; it is usually square but tapered toward the front. With metal slats attached to the sides.