What is this thing?

[wcfn100]

In doing the research for the CGW Armco depots, I found that along with a the train order signal, a few have this other metal tower thing set in concrete that I don't know what it does.  my only guess is something to do with train orders but I can't tell if it would reach the tracks.

Anyone seen these before.




Jason

[Chris333]

Kind of looks like this, but folded down 

[wcfn100]

OKay, I can see that.  Maybe a couterweight at top.

Jason

[Kisatchie]

Hmm... looks like a dental
floss holder to me...

[Chris333]

Yeah I guess the pivot would be lower than I drew it with a weight at the end.

[wcfn100]

How about something like this.

https://www.google.com/patents/US2526145

 

So the small bar across at the bottom was messing me up because I didn't think an arm could swing out, but it's just a lock that opens.

Thanks Chris.

Jason

[Chris333]

Looks like that sucka has 4 heads, or is that just 4 different positions you can put it in.

[wcfn100]

Looks like that sucka has 4 heads, or is that just 4 different positions you can put it in.

From what I can see in the drawing, it's four clamping positions for the 'Y' piece.

Jason

[nkalanaga]

Ingenious.  Keeps the operator from having to stand next to the tracks, and clear of shifted loads, while still allowing crews to grab orders on the fly.  I don't remember ever seeing such a thing.  Was it a CGW invention, or a commercial item not widely used?

[wcfn100]

Was it a CGW invention, or a commercial item not widely used?

I have no reason to think it was a CGW thing.  Looking through my pictures, I can only find two depots with this: New Hampton and Ingleton.


Jason

[nkalanaga]

Maybe it was an unofficial invention of a local shop crew?  It looks like it would have been popular with a lot of roads if it was better known.

[cjm413]

I have no reason to think it was a CGW thing.  Looking through my pictures, I can only find two depots with this: New Hampton and Ingleton.


Jason

I had to take a second look at the Elmhurst depot to compare it to the oddball train order signal it had

[nkalanaga]

Don't see many signals on a cantilever arm specifically to put them FARTHER from the tracks...

I can see why some have nicknamed the CGW the "Chicago Great Weedy".

Except for the color the consist looks like some of the BN's in Pasco in the late 1970s.  When was this taken?

And that boxcar doesn't seem to have end reporting marks.  Maybe I don't need to add them to all of my early freight cars after all?

[wcfn100]

Except for the color the consist looks like some of the BN's in Pasco in the late 1970s.  When was this taken?

He's the link.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/551796/

Elmhurst, IL 1962.


Jason

[Point353]

How about something like this.

https://www.google.com/patents/US2526145

Here's an example of a similar type of train order stand, in Griffith, IN, with the arm deployed:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2690/4128090946_d8f6cd7926_b.jpg
You can see that the end of the arm splits into a 'Y' or 'V' to hold two sets of orders.
Looks like a flood lamp is attached to the top of the stand to provide illumination for night use.