On July 4th 1885, and July 18th 1886, patents were issued to John W. Rice for his invention of a new braking method for railroad cars. His major competitor was Westinghouse. Though not techically a "patent model", one submitted at time of application, as used to be required, the Rice car provided "illustrative services" for the company's sales staff. The car, illustrated, is a perfect scale model that shows the effectiveness of the Rice patents, and works in every detail. The car was carried all over the world to demonstrate the method, by inclining the base support, lifted on brass rods enclosed in bottom grooves, and applying the brakes with the working, scale trucks. It is truly a "work of art" and is "one of a kind"!! Almost 4 feet long and 18" high , built of solid mahogany and brass, by a long-gone artisan. The decorative figures(not original!) standing in the car are 8" to 9" tall. The Rice car is a real part of railroad history and belongs in the collection of a true railroad historian or quality museum.
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