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Paces Races Progress January 2, 2020

Previously I removed some of the cosmetic castings so as to better access the mechanical parts.

Today I am removing the horses and the ratchet bar that moves them.

paces races for restoration finish line and coin head trim paces races side doors off paces races sides off

The game is open and ready for removal of various parts.  I am starting with the horses and the ratchet bar that moves them.

paces races horses

The horses run along a metal bar.  The horse carriage is specially designed to allow the horse to move forward but not move backwards unless the reset bar comes along and sweeps the tab that contacts the ratchet bar up and out of the way.  Check the patents for this mechanism  developed by Clarence Musser.

paces races ratchet bumper paces races inside bumper ratchet

The bumpers on the ratchet bars are carefully designed to allow a specific movement both forwards and backwards.  They damp the bounce so the ratchet bar does not mistakenly move the horse more than one step.

paces races reset bar

The reset bar is attached to a shuttle.  It grabs the chain to move forward out of the way of the racing horses and backward to bring the horses back to the start line.  (See later restoration pictures for an explanation on how the shuttle works.