brake-rod

But at 5 A.M. he was hanging about the railroad-yards at Hammond, recalling the lessons of youth in "flipping trains"; and at seven he was standing on the bumpers between two freight-cars, clinging to the brake-rod, looking out to the open meadows of Indiana, laughing to see farm-houses ringed with apple-blossoms and sweet with April morning.

The Trail of the Hawk A Comedy of the Seriousness of Life Sinclair Lewis 1918

For a moment Bryce clung to the brake-rod, weak and dizzy from the effects of the blow when, leaping down from the loaded truck to the caboose bumper, his face had smashed into the front of the caboose.

The Valley of the Giants 1918

He wiped it away, swung his axe, drove the blade deep into the bumper and left it there with the haft quivering; turning, he climbed swiftly up the narrow iron ladder beside the brake-rod until he reached the roof; then, still standing on the ladder, he reached the brake-wheel and drew it promptly but gradually around until the wheel-blocks began to bite, when he exerted his tremendous strength to the utmost and with his knees braced doggedly against the front of the caboose, held the wheel.

The Valley of the Giants 1918

I’ve known a brake-rod to carry away on a down grade somewhat to the inconvenience of the passengers.

The Little Lady of the Big House, by Jack London 1916

"I've known a brake-rod to carry away on a down grade somewhat to the inconvenience of the passengers.

The Little Lady of the Big House Jack London 1896

"The brake-rod broke; the pole-strap gave way; it was all in a heap in a minute.

The Other Girls 1865