Coach and Wagon Terms
Diagrams
Stagecoach parts diagram (PDF)
Terminology
- Axle - cross structure that wheels attach
- Brake - device used to apply pressure to wheels to slow or stop wagon
- Boot - a luggage compartment
- Front boot - located at the front of the coach
- Rear boot - located at the rear of the coach
- Driver's box - the seat upon which the driver sits
- Chock log - a block used to stop wagons rolling backward when resting animals on steep uphill grades
- Doubletree - a crossbar, pivoted at the middle, with a singletree attached at each end. Used for harnessing horses side-by-side
- Drag shoe - device used to slow wagons on downhill grades
- Reach - structure that connects the front and rear axles
- Rough Locks - chains used to lock wheels. Used when resting animals on steep uphill grades
- Singletree - a crossbar, pivoted at the middle, to which the traces of a harness are fastened. Also known as a whiffletree, whippletree, or swingletree
- Skeins - the metal spindle that attaches to the ends of a wooden axle on which the wheel box rests.
- Springs - steel structure that suspended wagon body above the reach
- Thorough brace - leather straps that suspend the coach body above the reach
- Tongue - device that attaches to front axle of vehicle
- Drop Tongue - hinged in the rear
- Stiff Tongue - rigid
- Wheel - a circular ring designed to rotate around the axle
- Box - the metal piece that fits inside the hub and slides over the skein
- Hub - the center of the wheel
- Spoke - the spindles of the wheel
- Rim - the steel outermost part of the wheel
