Bidspirit auction | Pullman Cast Aluminum Railroad Boarding

Pullman Cast Aluminum Railroad Boarding Step Stool by Utica Radiator Corp - A vintage cast aluminum railroad conductor boarding step stool manufactured for the Pullman Company. The stool features a flared base and a rectangular top surface with an integral diamond-tread non-slip pattern. The top includes a recessed rectangular cartouche containing the name PULLMAN in impressed block letters. The underside of the casting is marked with the manufacturer's name and location in impressed text reading UTICA RADIATOR CORP, UTICA NY, followed by DESIGN PATENT NO. 157819. This patent was granted in 1950 for a portable step design. The stool is designed with four corner feet; three corners retain triangular mounting plates with remnants of deteriorated black rubber pads, while the fourth corner is fitted with a slotted cast aluminum guard or extension. Height: approximately 20 1/4 inches (as measured on the provided scale). The stool displays signs of significant industrial use and aging, including widespread surface oxidation and accumulated dirt (photo 1). Scattered white paint splatters are present on the side panels (photo 1). The underside shows surface discoloration and areas of yellowed oxidation (photo 3). The rubber floor pads on the base are heavily deteriorated, brittle, or missing (photo 3). The cast metal guard shows surface wear and minor pitting (photo 3). The aluminum casting remains structurally sound with no visible cracks or structural breaks.