How do you tell the difference in the old style Rocky Mountain Brakes and the new style? I have heard that the old style brakes work in reverse but the new style do not.
Old Style
New style
The original ad shown is the early style with the lever mounted at the rear of the car. In both cases unlike today's RM's, they had a mounting point at the center of the band so the band would do it's wiping action both ways. You will also note the casting goes around the full backing plate not just mounted at the front with guides to keep the bands in alinement with the drums like today's.
The old style Rocky Mountain pictured is the new style, which got modified by Tractor Train after they bought out Rocky Mountain. I have never been able to figure out why they changed that bracket. They are also way easier to install than the current ones, and don't use rods. They have a simple pedal clamp and equalizer attached to a cable. Simple as can be. I have them on all three of my T's. Jack Sunderlin started reproducing the early style brake back in the '60s, but didn't do his homework, and wound up using a Bennett style equalizer and pedal. It isn't confusing, but it certainly is a pain in the butt when you look at it. For some reason he decided to modify the original brakes he started out with, and copied a late style AC brake as I recall, but didn't use their pedal and equalizer set up. Oh well, so much for those who fail to do their research!