The shackles between the leaf springs and the frame on car 127549 appear to be spring-loaded with coil springs in those canisters. Car 140925 directly in front has the more common arrangement.

Anyone have any idea what is hanging from the rear spring mounts on that car at the curb?

I'm sure it is really swell, but I bet the view from that open porch on the seventh floor was really great. Not sure if I'd call that 'playful', but sure does add to the charm of the overall design and a suitable 'top' for the corner tower.

The building in our photo, completed in 1891, is long gone, replaced by a glass cube. The current Army & Navy Club is across the street, to the far left in this view:

The current Army Navy Club was built in 1912. In 1987 it got a total renovation, adding five more floors and unfortunately losing the decorative cupola and style. I'm not sure what the building to the right, (1625 I St NW) was then (it looks like apartments), but it has been torn down and had a new building put up at least twice since then. My office is directly across the street, (1620 I) and I've witnessed it being demolished, become a parking area, and rebuilt as a totally new building in just the span of 20 years.

The present clubhouse was built directly to the north, across I Street, in 1912. It was gutted and rebuilt in the mid-80s, with several floors of office space added on top. The Club is now in its 130th year and still serves some of the best buffets in Washington.