tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56669706195074323762024-03-26T05:03:30.345-04:00WILEY RAILROAD RELIC GARDEN in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lynchburg, VaFrom collecting small datenails found in discarded railroad crossties to actual railroad structures, the passion for railroad history is manifested and displayed in our garden which is shown below. For us, the collection and arrangement of three dozen pieces from seven railroads makes our own Railroad Relic Sculpture Garden. Having 10 plus acres helps keep normal life and the railroad collection in perspective.
Our goal is to stimulate our visitors to want to learn more after leaving.Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-27649186884208813062017-03-20T15:42:00.002-04:002017-03-20T15:42:35.668-04:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Please go to the new blog for the </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Wiley Railroad Relic Garden.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">http://aubreywileyrailroadrelicgarden.blogspot.com/</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: cyan;">March 18, 2017</b></span></div>
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Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-57356181458858148872016-09-20T12:19:00.001-04:002017-03-20T15:41:00.061-04:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Please go to the new blog for the Wiley Railroad Relic Garden.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">http://aubreywileyrailroadrelicgarden.blogspot.com/</span></div>
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Be sure to see the entire collection. </span></h2>
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Click on "Older Posts" at the bottom </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">VIRGINIAN RAILWAY DWARF SIGNAL</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSEcw3tFc6ymMymHrABij7o4AqE4v5n6pjb5kr5B8C5SqATmMQiM5sX4IIoo1pCAiqjiCLtkivUfoCbmOdSVg9csYX3qRA6hCtvudYudmjMV6i4Rm2ymUxTMQHkm0VZ6fUhQDDU6oBWO4/s1600/VGN+dwarf+3+qt+side+crop+imp+b+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSEcw3tFc6ymMymHrABij7o4AqE4v5n6pjb5kr5B8C5SqATmMQiM5sX4IIoo1pCAiqjiCLtkivUfoCbmOdSVg9csYX3qRA6hCtvudYudmjMV6i4Rm2ymUxTMQHkm0VZ6fUhQDDU6oBWO4/s400/VGN+dwarf+3+qt+side+crop+imp+b+comp.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">This General Railway Signal Company (GRS) dwarf signal was made on March 26, 1945 and placed at the west end of a passing track at Maben, West Virginia, milepost 381.7. It governed westbound trains. Having only one lens, the color displayed was controlled by a DC mechanism inside the case. It could display red, amber and green signal aspects (indications). </span></h4>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In the company rule book, a dwarf signal was considered a "Home Signal." </span><span style="text-align: justify;">A red indication meant stop and do not proceed, unless there was a number plate on its base, in which instance, the train would stop and proceed at restricted speed. An amber/yellow indication meant proceed at slow speed, not exceeding 15 miles per hour. A green indication allowed a train to pass at the maximum speed authorized for that point that was safe for the conditions. However at this location, a green indication would not have been displayed for a train leaving a passing siding.</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></h4>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lhwQUesk5jsQWMHxRiMl5N_KK-4ErAfUTNZP4VtlcOp23WmHvDXYstDw_Kd6XeVrWc1iHDGzcXLML4UHaxoNr_ShLnlUZ_IjIF0M43tDmaD5A7EeIQW5MphoWOeDKlZuWcvbtvsO-htG/s1600/color+yellos+imp+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lhwQUesk5jsQWMHxRiMl5N_KK-4ErAfUTNZP4VtlcOp23WmHvDXYstDw_Kd6XeVrWc1iHDGzcXLML4UHaxoNr_ShLnlUZ_IjIF0M43tDmaD5A7EeIQW5MphoWOeDKlZuWcvbtvsO-htG/s200/color+yellos+imp+comp.JPG" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwBywCoyXTDFwewx_cYzb8fOMTh3aZUADsI7r0fhQJZxFiSkElDS3mKUXgMtSwPzk87wUebXCdy5-2iBorhO8kEstElZnjI9-cQ4L29hd1TKAjM25X3e-AYEJrTa8z8Vvn0g3G9NhNX0g/s1600/color+green+imp+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwBywCoyXTDFwewx_cYzb8fOMTh3aZUADsI7r0fhQJZxFiSkElDS3mKUXgMtSwPzk87wUebXCdy5-2iBorhO8kEstElZnjI9-cQ4L29hd1TKAjM25X3e-AYEJrTa8z8Vvn0g3G9NhNX0g/s200/color+green+imp+comp.JPG" width="133" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG2UEEOLb4q4zv2kyxwekAsZ_1_UVfnVtP2YD5Lh_1lkyFjuKhSAL4qSxa3GJ-wOK_c0F7unvD3Xe3a_tZfVyDArnoKn6Sho963KR5oSQ7W87-_BPmXu3IZNrjdTaMdW1FeRAVIY8U7Vn/s1600/a+VGN+Maben+signal+and+dwarf+looking+w+May+2008+AMW+imp+c+crop+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG2UEEOLb4q4zv2kyxwekAsZ_1_UVfnVtP2YD5Lh_1lkyFjuKhSAL4qSxa3GJ-wOK_c0F7unvD3Xe3a_tZfVyDArnoKn6Sho963KR5oSQ7W87-_BPmXu3IZNrjdTaMdW1FeRAVIY8U7Vn/s400/a+VGN+Maben+signal+and+dwarf+looking+w+May+2008+AMW+imp+c+crop+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Seldom is it possible to have a picture of an actual preserved railroad artifact when it was in use, especially on the VIRGINIAN RAILWAY. </span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KOVrcp5dYJS2oJC5aPCjjAjsXAvjiDDP0zIoEPK2drbTSdYhys3cZpqulxbgCk6B45x1AGCw_1JiM3zF6X0SCu815FgrLJRmN0eocVUxBr4mT8uz6ozWZTaN7OxmE16hyphenhyphenNSlyJwN3rgl/s1600/mullens+july+8+2001+wvaflood+imp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KOVrcp5dYJS2oJC5aPCjjAjsXAvjiDDP0zIoEPK2drbTSdYhys3cZpqulxbgCk6B45x1AGCw_1JiM3zF6X0SCu815FgrLJRmN0eocVUxBr4mT8uz6ozWZTaN7OxmE16hyphenhyphenNSlyJwN3rgl/s320/mullens+july+8+2001+wvaflood+imp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> The peacefulness of a Sunday morning was broken on July 8, 1901 when continuous, torrential rain caused the nearby Slab Fork to flood. In this area, the Slab Fork and the Virginian railroad were somewhat parallel. Some of the railroad was washed away as were numerous homes and buildings. The railroad remained in place at this location although the fast flowing flood water was about five feet over the track and this signal. </span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V3YknOwG8cQfN3D_yGZIFNt9mbTBToeFwirTrsNUUeFIxgYXxLKF2wfJ0F_hR4zZwvNbeU6-VoHmydcRJcJZ1QCDXGov2XlsmLxYVs006JNy0rAYLX6AiagIJdulJZ8m-4brVUrMML_a/s1600/High+wate+%25282%2529+imp+b+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V3YknOwG8cQfN3D_yGZIFNt9mbTBToeFwirTrsNUUeFIxgYXxLKF2wfJ0F_hR4zZwvNbeU6-VoHmydcRJcJZ1QCDXGov2XlsmLxYVs006JNy0rAYLX6AiagIJdulJZ8m-4brVUrMML_a/s320/High+wate+%25282%2529+imp+b+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">While disassembling the signal during restoration, the primary lens still had a rust colored high-water line mark, made when flood water was trapped inside. The inside of the case had a good amount of rust powder! </span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh333pRdJmwDgXVO6pN0KyeAhtbG7MfGky9N7N9yrlNCs678dOzfWLnrT11gX7umb5vPEfGCUwtWn-HLOrQqwrXKq9u96xkPkPP_WPzbnJ-GPNBTfMJhVDamZW5G3qSNRw09cMlhZVttSMT/s1600/a+VGN+dwarf+AWiley+sept+2016+w+planter+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh333pRdJmwDgXVO6pN0KyeAhtbG7MfGky9N7N9yrlNCs678dOzfWLnrT11gX7umb5vPEfGCUwtWn-HLOrQqwrXKq9u96xkPkPP_WPzbnJ-GPNBTfMJhVDamZW5G3qSNRw09cMlhZVttSMT/s400/a+VGN+dwarf+AWiley+sept+2016+w+planter+comp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now over seventy years old and no trains passing by, this former Virginian Railway dwarf signal proudly stands at the entrance to the Wiley Railroad Relic Garden, cycling through all indications for all to enjoy.</h4>
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Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-37110137430401563702015-01-22T07:33:00.000-05:002017-03-09T22:18:17.643-05:00<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">N&W PL-4 Dwarf Signal</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAn78OlyTPFnVgdlj7b5lutFcdq8Lwcb2ZVgzGVhO8TVhd7fE0Z-B7i577LuIJ_oYgsPAydmxlYZnqpCNpQATRjYrg38wP0nqudTirY342i04uP0c6HIBYIcN16-xe39zS99Bx56YChUs/s1600/535+w+Buddy+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAn78OlyTPFnVgdlj7b5lutFcdq8Lwcb2ZVgzGVhO8TVhd7fE0Z-B7i577LuIJ_oYgsPAydmxlYZnqpCNpQATRjYrg38wP0nqudTirY342i04uP0c6HIBYIcN16-xe39zS99Bx56YChUs/s1600/535+w+Buddy+sml.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELDWWy7LKHzY1nw2zHSICR-23Q1mhVJKIbQ87XL8sp6uzEz6N3JLp9AP9fwoTitf41aAA2F9fU9xWmV94TokFuvolQNV2Ljd3wEGQMnEIukPNiqgKRz-IoliP_ZlnyFm_VG-88pNFbnFg/s1600/N&W+dwarf+in+yard+jan+21+2015+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELDWWy7LKHzY1nw2zHSICR-23Q1mhVJKIbQ87XL8sp6uzEz6N3JLp9AP9fwoTitf41aAA2F9fU9xWmV94TokFuvolQNV2Ljd3wEGQMnEIukPNiqgKRz-IoliP_ZlnyFm_VG-88pNFbnFg/s1600/N&W+dwarf+in+yard+jan+21+2015+sml.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Norfolk & Western Railway US&S dwarf signal is the first addition to the "Wiley Railroad Relic Garden" in 2015. This Union Switch & Signal Co. model was first introduced in 1930 and was called a PL-4, "New" model. Dwarf signals were used in railroad yards, as well as to govern certain side tracks and they were far fewer in number than regular, tall signals. </span></h4>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Signals on the old Norfolk & Western were called "Position Light" signals, meaning the arrangement of the amber lights would display the indication or aspect. All horizontal meant stop; all angled meant a cautionary clear and all vertical meant a clear signal. There were exceptions to these indications explained in detail in the railroad's rule book. In the late 1950's, N&W started to change from the pure, position light signals to a modification, using colors as well (red, amber and green). This system was called "Color Position Light." In the early 1960's, N&W started to operate with this new style for its dwarf signals and this is how my dwarf signal is configured. The signal aspects were as follows.</b></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When used by the N&W, </span><span style="font-size: large;"> it is likely that this dwarf signal was located at HQ Tower, Bluefield, Virginia (milepost 357) to govern train movements against the normal flow of traffic at the faceing point crossover between the mainline tracks there. During it's years of service, tens of thousands of freight trains passed by. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the pictures, it is shown mounted with secured bolts on a concrete pad beside a post displaying an N&W Whistle Post sign and a classification running light from the front of Virginian Railway class MC steam engine 468. As it was when in use by the N&W, the back plate is secured with a heavy brass lock, marked for N&W and an "R" for the division of the location, Radford Division. </span> ( In the picture showing the front of our home, notice the orange cat sitting in his box on the porch. The picture was made in January and "Buddy" is our outdoor cat. As he has aged, he spends more time with us and his box has a heating pad to keep him warm in cold weather.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The back is removed, revealing the inside of the signal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">This link is to a 12 second video of the signal illustrating all of its aspects (indications)</span>. </h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">N&W Bridge Number Post</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLDHQPs5ksNNphTlOmviqC5UPdnqVmkVS9vZfl4eljfy1u-T2V4hFeuHEWvE0POvk775E5EoI0jjt2ntQbka0Xee4sUBbJiIb3h8K-7N-yVB5sTQOaj7JQ3oA8wbQcTRuVVX9vNDP3PB0/s1600/N%2526W+Matoaka+bridge+marker+2309+east+side+Jeff+Hawkins+imp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLDHQPs5ksNNphTlOmviqC5UPdnqVmkVS9vZfl4eljfy1u-T2V4hFeuHEWvE0POvk775E5EoI0jjt2ntQbka0Xee4sUBbJiIb3h8K-7N-yVB5sTQOaj7JQ3oA8wbQcTRuVVX9vNDP3PB0/s200/N%2526W+Matoaka+bridge+marker+2309+east+side+Jeff+Hawkins+imp.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFE_upOzAICFkQUNp7lnla3ZljgLR-PhxM_bsXFODlD4Hl2junQKkNkl9hZ13FzZVToo5k4XJkmCWBsvymSpYMM764EzrkxH_-5T3cnxfekGAS_8kiQSdDD_bFUIi6Ha6LJMNEQz_1qTa/s1600/N%2526W+Matoaka+bridge+number+2309+looking+west+Jeff+Hawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFE_upOzAICFkQUNp7lnla3ZljgLR-PhxM_bsXFODlD4Hl2junQKkNkl9hZ13FzZVToo5k4XJkmCWBsvymSpYMM764EzrkxH_-5T3cnxfekGAS_8kiQSdDD_bFUIi6Ha6LJMNEQz_1qTa/s200/N%2526W+Matoaka+bridge+number+2309+looking+west+Jeff+Hawkins.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2axKcBLaqTrjWnEK5pHzTjbanEk-NxMNVXcAVYspFzheqyqQKXiIQsbx8KIGjJwTq9z6JHxVX9YJem9JRNrdV9GV7iEyb_nKq6ksomF97oaaLYC8ZTWMkKWt6-i3wbYu5fWHxmmugJ1-/s1600/N%2526W+Matoaka+milepost+b16+Jeff+Hawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2axKcBLaqTrjWnEK5pHzTjbanEk-NxMNVXcAVYspFzheqyqQKXiIQsbx8KIGjJwTq9z6JHxVX9YJem9JRNrdV9GV7iEyb_nKq6ksomF97oaaLYC8ZTWMkKWt6-i3wbYu5fWHxmmugJ1-/s200/N%2526W+Matoaka+milepost+b16+Jeff+Hawkins.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In November 2016 while visiting remaining railroad locations in West Virginia of Norfolk & Western's Bluestone Branch, I noticed a new-to-me relic at Matoaka, a concrete post near the end of the railroad bridge over Left Fork of Widemouth Creek. The weathered post shows the number 2309, which, as I found, is the number of the bridge on N&W track charts. After describing this unusual post with many friends, it seems it likely dates to when this branch was built soon after the turn of the century. I found no reference at all to a bridge number post in the archives of N&W Historical Society. I have learned from my friends that another bridge number post stands at Montcalm, also on the Bluestone Branch. It seems that these tow posts are the sole survivors. By the way, N&W abandoned most of the branchline in place in 1984. Unable to find any material whatsoever in the N&W archives, I have made a rough, not to scale drawing, showing measurements made during examination of the post at Matoaka. (42" above ground, 10" wide and 4" thick) This photo shows the bridge number post situated 12 feet from the center of the track at Weyanoke, WV. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUnkiiB3OIYmVjvKfMLamQRmcLe7SFi4w6TayNo7CS1MIHnm1R2D5wTbfWOFANyMZ0WMXpN8hoPH9hYJsi7pcVSB9c8Z0Zlppfi4zxmW65dzMUHNzPUOa2KXU_qCIEj3uZj9Z_S4Wpek5/s1600/A+Bridge+number+post+535+side+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUnkiiB3OIYmVjvKfMLamQRmcLe7SFi4w6TayNo7CS1MIHnm1R2D5wTbfWOFANyMZ0WMXpN8hoPH9hYJsi7pcVSB9c8Z0Zlppfi4zxmW65dzMUHNzPUOa2KXU_qCIEj3uZj9Z_S4Wpek5/s320/A+Bridge+number+post+535+side+comp.JPG" width="194" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjN7__FAJX7Le3W0ruyZSAC0zfvQuueK2ZEwKpibFMvmK85ebeCEPJJaqCKOhL3wxlwCp-SL15MiMqLFdvANMKXCWNrCDJBO6httteeDLOTJSuuWtbAjQtBAaGklMEfZvUnCJV34l5inv8/s1600/A+Bridge+number+post+2309+side+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjN7__FAJX7Le3W0ruyZSAC0zfvQuueK2ZEwKpibFMvmK85ebeCEPJJaqCKOhL3wxlwCp-SL15MiMqLFdvANMKXCWNrCDJBO6httteeDLOTJSuuWtbAjQtBAaGklMEfZvUnCJV34l5inv8/s320/A+Bridge+number+post+2309+side+comp.JPG" width="174" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Inspired by this unusual find, I decided a make a replica of it for our Wiley Railroad Relic Garden. In addition to providing a source for others to study, it serves a useful purpose. I put it at the end of our driveway and it shows the house number on one side and the number on the back is the number of the post that inspired me, number 2309. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Assistance was given by Jon Charles, Jeff Hawkins and Ken Miller.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Chesapeake & Ohio Railway</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Station Scales from Mount Hope, W V</b></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> This Fairbanks Company station scales was a recent gift from a friend in West Virginia. Having a capacity of half a ton, the scales were last used at Mount Hope on C&O's Loop Creek Branch which extended twelve miles south from the mainline at Thurmond, WV on the New River. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> One rail historian wrote, "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Any station that handled express would need one of these as billing depends on
weight and dimension. I am sure the possibility of weighing LCL (less than carload) items and
passenger baggage (trunks, etc) would factor in. C&O had a
calibration and repair shop at Huntington that handled these system wide and scales
rotated from place to place as they were out shopped." The scales' deck is 17-1/2" by 26-1/2" and the balancing tower reaches 45 inches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">The 1948 Official Guide for Passenger Trains shows that passenger train service was still available at Mount Hope in 1948. It lists passenger train number 136 leaving the mainline at Turmond at 3:10 pm, making the twelve mile journey up the mountains to Mount Hope, arriving at 4:05 pm. The return train, number 137, left Mount Hope at 4;20, reaching Thurmond at 5:03 pm. Virginian Railway had branchline passenger and freight service to some of the same line as C&O, but it did not reach Mount Hope. Its closest point was Oak Hill, WV. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> An inspection date stenciled on the scales is March 1948 and it was performed on site by a C&O railroad inspector. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARrIhAgb3_e8AbXLzO-PdpMJiPtqanwEkdPrQiRmlsCAl2XyLOR874RxFgSSGYn2XLVLppzC-CIf6539hEEmKJJ5FaHKI_gkZGtS05uLarHR5eblFEl5uXZTsYBcijQ15K9cLaSamSxTb/s1600/underside+imp+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARrIhAgb3_e8AbXLzO-PdpMJiPtqanwEkdPrQiRmlsCAl2XyLOR874RxFgSSGYn2XLVLppzC-CIf6539hEEmKJJ5FaHKI_gkZGtS05uLarHR5eblFEl5uXZTsYBcijQ15K9cLaSamSxTb/s320/underside+imp+sml.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We are grateful to the following for their involvement in making this happen. Joe Mackowiak, Jim Wiley and C&O historians Tom Clay, Matt Crouch and Tom Clay. It is pictured above in our Wiley Country Store and Walnut Level Texaco, which are adjacent to the Railroad Relic Garden..</span></span></h4>
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Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-53475531297602957362012-10-28T08:14:00.001-04:002017-03-10T02:09:14.174-05:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
To reach Aubrey Wiley, email <a href="mailto:VgnRy43@aol.com">VgnRy43@aol.com</a></h2>
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Last Updated October 28, 2012</h2>
Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-79250145846551886702012-10-27T17:59:00.003-04:002012-10-28T09:59:35.610-04:00West Virginia Logging Camp Relic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxhwOKVyYsEA0uT67iwaNfp8GAFnhmA814nsnIzOy4GlC4I9Na96w9qFYMaWUce1dfoBYn6tMSQHy_1Ho7zyBlxgsiNArte0_Pyr7PMLFdovRCr5hBLdciwHdkhT2KZLUZ5YTHTrMIxfY/s1600/Boot_Bald_Knob_Camp_1959_imp_sml+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxhwOKVyYsEA0uT67iwaNfp8GAFnhmA814nsnIzOy4GlC4I9Na96w9qFYMaWUce1dfoBYn6tMSQHy_1Ho7zyBlxgsiNArte0_Pyr7PMLFdovRCr5hBLdciwHdkhT2KZLUZ5YTHTrMIxfY/s1600/Boot_Bald_Knob_Camp_1959_imp_sml+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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While exploring the grades of a logging railroad in West Virginia, I was surprised to find an old camp! It happened in October 2012. The logging company was last operated in June 1960 and this line, nearly 4800 feet above sea level, saw use sometime prior to that date. Discovered and left in place were numerous glass bottles and jars, ruins of shanties, commercial oil cans and even a rusted through five gal. C&O RR oil can. It must have been "lifted" from the C&O which had a branch line about 10 miles away. Beside the frame of a bed was a, rotted, moss covered work boot! One can imagine a wood hick sitting on that bed to either put on or take of his leather work boots and for some reason, leaving this one behind. Perhaps its sole was worn through. In the picture above, a rusty bed spring can be seen between the boot and the bed frame on the left. In the pictures belw, we may see the second growth of Red Spruce trees growing in the old railroad grade. Along that grade are moss covered cross ties and in one picture, a lone spike stands above the moss.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQCGc4AVvA8E_bPDz_0BT7He2kXujiTXZVsLBW0RjRLkhzMG8cCLN6wzU2Kk0831Ldh9Q0YoszrtABSBvcZHgoNrkROODda5WNvhF9W3UhOgSWNU0kvwPdSWzWYXVXDTxj-mLmV4o-mEM/s1600/Mower_Lumber_Bald_Knob_spike_Oct_25_2012_sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQCGc4AVvA8E_bPDz_0BT7He2kXujiTXZVsLBW0RjRLkhzMG8cCLN6wzU2Kk0831Ldh9Q0YoszrtABSBvcZHgoNrkROODda5WNvhF9W3UhOgSWNU0kvwPdSWzWYXVXDTxj-mLmV4o-mEM/s320/Mower_Lumber_Bald_Knob_spike_Oct_25_2012_sml.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFHBIIjv0DkbwHV0ezvnpPgNxPMk3dDhbDW0ND0MD0MIEbYX1hqBGVtTxrGl8Xk-vFe4LmntDWvf7q1vLcCQwPPu4KaEQi7vUDdAS76PmX14y44uMVNTgysITNapTtw-5Gng1JRmSrNql/s1600/Mower_Lumber_Bald_Knob_Oct_25_2012_sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFHBIIjv0DkbwHV0ezvnpPgNxPMk3dDhbDW0ND0MD0MIEbYX1hqBGVtTxrGl8Xk-vFe4LmntDWvf7q1vLcCQwPPu4KaEQi7vUDdAS76PmX14y44uMVNTgysITNapTtw-5Gng1JRmSrNql/s200/Mower_Lumber_Bald_Knob_Oct_25_2012_sml.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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This old logger's boot is now in the woods adjoining the Relic Garden, resting among ferns near the C&O signal.</div>
Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-90674616015661066352012-07-17T19:09:00.000-04:002012-07-17T19:09:07.171-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeQsXrvWTCxTp7KaqytbB0NN7TKtFGGtyd53tuALlUw9UrBPNT5LydqATVgmZATifmru6soPVSrqZn9QS4aulqPLASqbBHgyDqBNFvbVEazklMvB7MNYkTs841oFa4wX-EvCqELN03n6_/s1600/Lynchburg+Union+Station+N&W+train+25+w+Sou+transfer+1956+AWiley+imp+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeQsXrvWTCxTp7KaqytbB0NN7TKtFGGtyd53tuALlUw9UrBPNT5LydqATVgmZATifmru6soPVSrqZn9QS4aulqPLASqbBHgyDqBNFvbVEazklMvB7MNYkTs841oFa4wX-EvCqELN03n6_/s320/Lynchburg+Union+Station+N&W+train+25+w+Sou+transfer+1956+AWiley+imp+comp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Southern Railway Signal Finial</span></strong></div>
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Standing 26 inches high and weighing 48 pounds, this cast iron finial adorned the top of a Southern Railway signal which protected a crossing diamond used by N&W and Southern railways in Lynchburg, Va. The structure was Union Station and in its heyday, it saw passenger trains of the Southern, Norfolk & Western and Chesapeake & Ohio railroads. Until December 1941, Lynchburg Traction & Light Company's street cars also called at the station on a street to the right and above the Southern track in the picture. In the larger vintage picture from 1956, N&W's westbound Powhatan Arrow passenger train is loading passengers at the station while a brace of Southern diesel switch engines wait in advance of the aforementioned signal. The Southern train will proceed once the N&W passenger train leaves and the signal gives a proceed indication. The Southern train is inside a short tunnel that passed under Ninth Street. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuUOgdV5DH5d-8gilLU3W7pEdsBeydzaqBQFwKciB6aStIOblIsayUE-DrW9HeEtuGgfordk8LOYc7oDPTppz9zDKnF1I99j9Qc52XOo0LLQMRM-nknusUXGD7w408ITGqiVy1RfKk6_r/s1600/Lynchburg+Union+Station+N&W+train+25+w+Sou+transfer+1956+AWiley+finial+crop+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuUOgdV5DH5d-8gilLU3W7pEdsBeydzaqBQFwKciB6aStIOblIsayUE-DrW9HeEtuGgfordk8LOYc7oDPTppz9zDKnF1I99j9Qc52XOo0LLQMRM-nknusUXGD7w408ITGqiVy1RfKk6_r/s320/Lynchburg+Union+Station+N&W+train+25+w+Sou+transfer+1956+AWiley+finial+crop+sml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-13015522158887571922012-02-04T14:30:00.005-05:002012-02-04T17:58:03.556-05:00N&W Shop Made Dwarf<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoahswFTJPH7obKqFy4x365Y9KP2qZdAmIwT0wOnOtaJVIllud4qyOy4Is9EhRzaBRaTDV9wxTpKLVRej8KGOZgVCGg42T9Fqv49ULjwHtR6tgKSqWgsQeA1I6yx6n4wXBmBfQEyApgATk/s1600/a+N%2526W+dwarf+18+Shaffers+Oct+28+2011+crop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoahswFTJPH7obKqFy4x365Y9KP2qZdAmIwT0wOnOtaJVIllud4qyOy4Is9EhRzaBRaTDV9wxTpKLVRej8KGOZgVCGg42T9Fqv49ULjwHtR6tgKSqWgsQeA1I6yx6n4wXBmBfQEyApgATk/s200/a+N%2526W+dwarf+18+Shaffers+Oct+28+2011+crop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705417945722830706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpLPG95gry6H_aVL_my7yLlwvtzlg1SNErbrU6rjpX-sunqjEOZWPJoF43QjHDyy5ppZaTZA9ycUFXK_eb35bhvw0HJ12cn2iR1y4VDdnApq-boj5SttLwcp1Sir_armsSQ0eBgxx44RY/s1600/N%2526W+eb+running+track+signal++18+replica+feb+4+2012+sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpLPG95gry6H_aVL_my7yLlwvtzlg1SNErbrU6rjpX-sunqjEOZWPJoF43QjHDyy5ppZaTZA9ycUFXK_eb35bhvw0HJ12cn2iR1y4VDdnApq-boj5SttLwcp1Sir_armsSQ0eBgxx44RY/s320/N%2526W+eb+running+track+signal++18+replica+feb+4+2012+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705417473941745378" /></a><br />Shaffers Crossing Yard in Roanoke has long been a major marshal ling yard for Norfolk & Western Ry. At the west end of the yard is N&W's locomotive shop which had a 40 stall roundhouse in steam engine years. Two mainline-looking tracks curved around the roundhouse on the north side: They were called the "eastbound and westbound running tracks." Starting as a teenager in the 1950's, I went to Roanoke with my father as he worked from time to time and I always spent a few hours on an overhead foot bridge that spanned about a third of the east end of Shaffers Crossing yard on the north side. The bridge was used by railroad men to reach their jobs from Shenandoah Avenue. I appreciated the large N&W steam engines that were relegated to yard service with the coming of diesel locomotives and a highlight was to see the eastbound passenger train, "The Tennessean," a joint Southern and N&W train, as it passed beneath me on the eastbound running track. Just a short distance west of my vantage point was a small dwarf signal, informally called the "Eastbound Running Signal 18" because it was between 17th and 18th streets. The signal was a home made signal from the shops, just a pair of old PL-1 light cases from an N&W position light signal some place. The light cases were mounted one above the other and only gave two indications; "Approach" and "Stop." Authority for the running tacks did not come from the dispatcher or from the yard master but from switch tenders who worked at each end of the running tracks. And they were pretty much "automatic block" signals. The practice seemed dangerous and vague, but it worked. In 1970, the dwarf signal was taken out of service and replaced by a traditional mast mounted color position light signal. <br />I am grateful to Ben Blevins, Abram Burnett and Harry Bundy for their roles in making this signal a part of our Railroad Relic Garden.Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-63056978676537297522012-01-17T12:11:00.003-05:002012-01-17T12:21:28.990-05:00VIRGINIAN Ry Train Order Semaphore<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJOqbPSOqbOI5ojGHt8TARpS2aYk1QY8YJv5KK9ojLGAIrdSB3PrjGMDdWZ5g94jI55YQH8QLPAQlE0lfbX0K-iQTiaHipYm6O9XjwxjgCoM5mkKLI23KYJZj182nRy4e4m0cF4z5fEcq/s1600/a+VGN+wb+X60+Salem+May+30+1959+AWiley+sml.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJOqbPSOqbOI5ojGHt8TARpS2aYk1QY8YJv5KK9ojLGAIrdSB3PrjGMDdWZ5g94jI55YQH8QLPAQlE0lfbX0K-iQTiaHipYm6O9XjwxjgCoM5mkKLI23KYJZj182nRy4e4m0cF4z5fEcq/s320/a+VGN+wb+X60+Salem+May+30+1959+AWiley+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698652246717734418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9G2xU3B1hYzjjKAjmwy3n3iXR15UR7YTFEndFcLsyX4ibSks1fSvi4xwBmeWyXklNL9_0vH1j1LMdlqNXEtKvbUDfUihW25beEaOBKiAcLyEhMr352l0xqhE3WsL5NCaFrHMqwJl2KPG/s1600/a+VGN+Salem+Train+Order+Semaphore+dec+27+2011+imp+c+sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9G2xU3B1hYzjjKAjmwy3n3iXR15UR7YTFEndFcLsyX4ibSks1fSvi4xwBmeWyXklNL9_0vH1j1LMdlqNXEtKvbUDfUihW25beEaOBKiAcLyEhMr352l0xqhE3WsL5NCaFrHMqwJl2KPG/s400/a+VGN+Salem+Train+Order+Semaphore+dec+27+2011+imp+c+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698650846668897522" /></a><br />I obtained another rare piece of Virginian Railway history when I received the GRS type - 2A Train Order Spectacle and Blade. I am told it came from the Virginian's Salem, Virginia station, milepost 251, when it was demolished in the 1970's. The spectacle is cast iron and weighs 85 pounds. In some pictures it appears it was made for four colored lens to give four indications. Actually, the last hole was for another weight to be added if necessary. On mine, the additional weight was not in place and the hole was covered with a thick sheet metal plate. The blade is wood and black on its back side. Assembled, all pieces were six feet in length and weigh 90 pounds, making it a difficult item to lift up a tall pole. Mine is mounted on a wall inside our home in a room decorated to represent the office for an agent-operator at "SA" Salem, Va. The picture shows it in use as a westbound freight train passes the station in November 1959.Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-734945949308542012012-01-17T11:19:00.006-05:002012-01-17T11:50:47.336-05:00VIRGINIAN Ry Caboose Stove<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpz_MJXQYPy-YZTvIpDojOiMqFYVoJapctX98-Pq2uTSFpJx6pi3AW5fB28YYvXQB7TbHWZi0mhlYFOTyRcBucaYu4RxdURvb7Lwotq3wt9rCugFGbDkwzEQk-Kan7YRsYqkMIqI9Kgzp/s1600/a+VGN+C+1+410+Suffolk+H+R+sml+a.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpz_MJXQYPy-YZTvIpDojOiMqFYVoJapctX98-Pq2uTSFpJx6pi3AW5fB28YYvXQB7TbHWZi0mhlYFOTyRcBucaYu4RxdURvb7Lwotq3wt9rCugFGbDkwzEQk-Kan7YRsYqkMIqI9Kgzp/s400/a+VGN+C+1+410+Suffolk+H+R+sml+a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698643802724513026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9uyGEh03iyfsccVbqf3yoVeN1OZ_Mu_wVqDXWichOknD3_seifxFOhy_vkDo3gLy8Rv4SJI-DMHwNT8j6C-wnjHRaTf45YyEhT2hop_xnZ5w7zwFhq7A0TF4ANJhMNuKm1h_hM3g9SNv/s1600/aa+VGN+stove+t+giving+2011+complete+sml+a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9uyGEh03iyfsccVbqf3yoVeN1OZ_Mu_wVqDXWichOknD3_seifxFOhy_vkDo3gLy8Rv4SJI-DMHwNT8j6C-wnjHRaTf45YyEhT2hop_xnZ5w7zwFhq7A0TF4ANJhMNuKm1h_hM3g9SNv/s400/aa+VGN+stove+t+giving+2011+complete+sml+a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698643054817681874" /></a><br />Weighing a few hundred pounds, this cast iron stove was used in a Virginian Railway wood caboose of the C-1 class and built between 1906 and 1924. The donor caboose had been purchased from the N&W in 1960, a year after the VGN/N&W merger, and placed beside a private lake in Nottoway County, Virginia. After arriving at our Relic Garden in 2011, it has been repaired, cleaned and treated so it can continue to be useful for many more decades. It addition to cooking outdoor meals it is used by Charlotte as a wood fired kiln for her pottery work.Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-11533698403578203132011-07-13T17:12:00.006-04:002016-12-07T18:39:25.686-05:00Virginian Motor Car Restoration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86yURH9N8x0bcXIdi-CkawWotGI-4arlpDeGZoTWfrYTZRMB9DscctG33IhlgF9-yRZQza1N8_knRR3KrSObq2GPVvbS2T3OwJpaFUz9uLy98baZHQsXQaW3JMyNdfXcV_SeD8ABZeRVG/s1600/a+109+w+numbers+and+plate+July+62011+b+sml.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="361" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628950690560188146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86yURH9N8x0bcXIdi-CkawWotGI-4arlpDeGZoTWfrYTZRMB9DscctG33IhlgF9-yRZQza1N8_knRR3KrSObq2GPVvbS2T3OwJpaFUz9uLy98baZHQsXQaW3JMyNdfXcV_SeD8ABZeRVG/s400/a+109+w+numbers+and+plate+July+62011+b+sml.jpg" style="float: left; height: 288px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEneGAuS99QDT-6WucHrHMvYdgIivj450Im61uohlcTwWlgFRjL7iskFyUYJb2v8mqscz5ItMAC8mT845N3MgZJlNDrLcLjg9DErOu2HLbx2qaBEThOPRL-76O62qFNSS69OmAgWvm4xBI/s1600/a+109+detailed+interior+for+work+July+4+2011+sml.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628950526988215058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEneGAuS99QDT-6WucHrHMvYdgIivj450Im61uohlcTwWlgFRjL7iskFyUYJb2v8mqscz5ItMAC8mT845N3MgZJlNDrLcLjg9DErOu2HLbx2qaBEThOPRL-76O62qFNSS69OmAgWvm4xBI/s320/a+109+detailed+interior+for+work+July+4+2011+sml.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlN5jdxiGhA3xa6y3lQEMdNhIXvyOd7HMy0mSXl6ueRDHDX8sygWlgdz8pbDpyTjPzP0GRWLQuoXsQLYQ7LNiqL4gXADBrlS7UC2_WpfmrxMGFE7NCRiympzddZwowMQ-08bEMmLHGpo2/s1600/a+109+detailed+July+4+2011+sml.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628950334938901602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlN5jdxiGhA3xa6y3lQEMdNhIXvyOd7HMy0mSXl6ueRDHDX8sygWlgdz8pbDpyTjPzP0GRWLQuoXsQLYQ7LNiqL4gXADBrlS7UC2_WpfmrxMGFE7NCRiympzddZwowMQ-08bEMmLHGpo2/s320/a+109+detailed+July+4+2011+sml.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 174px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKTGuxkLLXWuOA75ZMDNyPOXelHP9x9w8g9zuMIOSBP0TAaLwWLjOnd1Senn8aCoFi9p890tppN8H5_nwC2yiYs1UtsV3xS74fNPItJCYD47-amkp5cjTrZvAjosaOqCX_2uJ6lT5mfuN/s1600/109+right+side+engine+sml.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628950120582612898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKTGuxkLLXWuOA75ZMDNyPOXelHP9x9w8g9zuMIOSBP0TAaLwWLjOnd1Senn8aCoFi9p890tppN8H5_nwC2yiYs1UtsV3xS74fNPItJCYD47-amkp5cjTrZvAjosaOqCX_2uJ6lT5mfuN/s320/109+right+side+engine+sml.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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In July 2011 the restoration of my ninety year old Virginian Sheffield motor car 109 was completed. The car was carefully cleaned by hand sanding, electric sanding, chemical paint remover and sand blasting using tiny iron ore particles and coal dust. And every hour of it was pure pleasure. As I went through layers of paint I learned much of the car's history, eventually realizing that the car was originally orange. It was verified by former Virginian employees. In researching Virginian's motor cars I found that my car was built in 1921 and assigned to Victoria, Virginia, a major yard and division headquarters. Its original number was 905. I have made another blog about the restoration work itself with far more detailed information.<br />
http://vgn109.blogspot.com/<br />
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The 109 is shown fully equipped and ready for a day's work. In the front, from left; the red tube contains flares and flags for safety needs, an iron milk crate which was used by many maintainers to transport their tools in the car, a bag containing a portable field telephone, an aluminum lunch bucket and a canvas pouch that held paper documents required by the railroad (current rule book, current employee timetable, various safety papers and a lineup of the day's train activities obtained at the start of the day from the dispatcher and updated during the day).<br />
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The Motor Car Shed (Tool House) is a 2/3 scale replica of the company's one car shed. In addition to providing a secure home for the motor car 109, it also displays tools and equipment used by Virginian Signal Maintainers. Tools are arranged on shelves and hung on side walls as they were in actual motor car sheds. On the rear wall, there are two water tanks, as described by George Lewis, a Virginian Signal Maintainer. The round tank was insulated and held cool, iced drinking water. The rectangular tank held water for washing while below was a bucket to catch wash water.<br />
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Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-49198527041447930652011-03-08T18:16:00.007-05:002011-03-08T18:35:54.728-05:00Circle Garden Entrance of Railroad Posts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HqAzwJytRAr1P6D6LZYFAdDB6ZJ5V7JSYJyTiffBz6rl-dtD8vBMJWxgYZaMnJCE6TzmcvPhhe-DWjYFudqYiL8p4YCaf-u6NZX1n4VryhyphenhyphenyQOXSP9ptdPS0U_BjD2QIp2HBVW1pkjQp/s1600/VGN+Clearance+Post+Circle+Garden+entrance+March+8+2011+imp+a+comp.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HqAzwJytRAr1P6D6LZYFAdDB6ZJ5V7JSYJyTiffBz6rl-dtD8vBMJWxgYZaMnJCE6TzmcvPhhe-DWjYFudqYiL8p4YCaf-u6NZX1n4VryhyphenhyphenyQOXSP9ptdPS0U_BjD2QIp2HBVW1pkjQp/s320/VGN+Clearance+Post+Circle+Garden+entrance+March+8+2011+imp+a+comp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581856657322062290" /></a><br />Behind the whistle posts of Virginian Railway, left, and Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, right, is the walkway made of old paving bricks leading into our small boxwood garden, the Circle Garden. Flanking the walkway are a Virginian Clearance Post, left, and a C&O Right of Way marker on the right. March 2011Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-56694298033420826802011-03-08T16:59:00.008-05:002011-03-08T18:15:32.304-05:00VIRGINIAN Ry Clearance Post - "100 - Car Post"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7FobAr-DJi0iLjkMHCbG7GeNFLj9AhYRrjcvSjK7YsSv9WcIhzr7MPcNMAXLWM-ifYAq9Xex2yV-6xsiyveJCNMqBIaKl7RnPtBAlCaJlTMaUGQ6oMzhP3eswERQqST81FGqz85U-1QR/s1600/VGN+Clearance+Post+AWiley+comp.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7FobAr-DJi0iLjkMHCbG7GeNFLj9AhYRrjcvSjK7YsSv9WcIhzr7MPcNMAXLWM-ifYAq9Xex2yV-6xsiyveJCNMqBIaKl7RnPtBAlCaJlTMaUGQ6oMzhP3eswERQqST81FGqz85U-1QR/s400/VGN+Clearance+Post+AWiley+comp.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581851692785940914" /></a><br /><br />Virginian had "Clearance Posts" also known as "100 - Car Posts" located 4580 feet beyond the ends of passing sidings. The purpose was to inform an engineer of when a 100 car length train was clear the switch of a passing track so the train could be operated at mainline speed according to rules. They were located between nine to twelve feet from the center of the track on the right side, the engineer's side, for right hand running. Generally, passing sidings were on the north side of the east - west railroad and eastbound trains had priority. In early years the posts were made of Chestnut but as that wood became scarce in the 1930's, concrete became the material of choice. They were 6 inches square with the corners having a 1" by 1" chamfer. The top featured a point made by 30 degree angles. The posts were six and a half feet long with four feet being out of the ground. Although company drawings called for the lower two feet above ground to be painted black and the remaining top to be painted white, the paint soon wore off and the posts were left looking a natural concrete color. - Information Source: Virginian Company drawing D-18, 10/10/27, revised 7/20/45Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-26527211697489050962011-02-24T09:36:00.010-05:002011-03-24T18:22:59.473-04:00Railroad Line Pole<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmTocd27-GxOgo67_6y5MEvFtCzmHVLX9DGkefHy_beU3kX1N_ebytUbqc6Sadbn4PmzweUqmsCZbLdf6yC9qeCrS8iFhbdOeYqF93fvemwNsCy842hUHOG2jWqO4tV9O5g_w6CEC6WTz/s1600/Railroad+Line+Pole+March+2+1011+AWiley+sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmTocd27-GxOgo67_6y5MEvFtCzmHVLX9DGkefHy_beU3kX1N_ebytUbqc6Sadbn4PmzweUqmsCZbLdf6yC9qeCrS8iFhbdOeYqF93fvemwNsCy842hUHOG2jWqO4tV9O5g_w6CEC6WTz/s320/Railroad+Line+Pole+March+2+1011+AWiley+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579868369662959906" /></a><br /><br />We needed a better outdoor clothes line so I put my mind to the task. I remembered how good Ben Blevins' line pole looked so the idea was born and the solution became clear. After looking for a used pole w/o success and learning how expensive a new one was, my son Jim told me about a place where I could get a locust pole. I decided to just walk back into our woods and see what I could find. The result is this nice pole that is actually a limb broken off a very large oak in June 2010 in a severe windstorm. <br /><br />The cross arms are from "field trips" over the decades as are the insulators. Ben Blevins (N&W), Landon Gregory (VGN) and Bud Huff (C&O) gave me suggestions for the placement of the different colors of insulators. On the lower arm, left end, there are the metal letters "440 olts." The v was missed when I got the letters from a discarded C&O pole. The insulators above the letters are brown and indicate the placement for 440 volts the railroads carried to power remote stations and shanties not served by public electricity. The center green ones are for the railroad's message line and the clear ones on the right are for the dispatcher's line. On the top arm, the two white ones on the right are for railroad telegraph and Western Union. Telegraph operation used the earth as the ground. The two green insulators on the left are "not in use" and the one with copper wire still around it was found that way by a C&O signalman many yeras ago and given to me.<br /><br />Only three lines will be attached with the other ends going to the Texaco Gas Station/Country Store replica nearby. The lines can be lowered for loading and then raised up out of the way. February/March 2011<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAtjl-PaxB-9w0ehS-yPPEFvby0M4TCQ-CfGNDks2nXxq6ZHwzGDt_Mn2iJ3rW5bs-UfdXCwGV_Xtrgugt13erdOQJcSKkYKa8C8WenZ5cRGFEojIXX4T9Az-nP7BJ3gdBxJFG0rDs5sw/s1600/Telegraph+white+insulators+AWiley+comp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAtjl-PaxB-9w0ehS-yPPEFvby0M4TCQ-CfGNDks2nXxq6ZHwzGDt_Mn2iJ3rW5bs-UfdXCwGV_Xtrgugt13erdOQJcSKkYKa8C8WenZ5cRGFEojIXX4T9Az-nP7BJ3gdBxJFG0rDs5sw/s400/Telegraph+white+insulators+AWiley+comp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587774638512322290" /></a>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-50324384321551677622011-01-19T16:03:00.008-05:002012-03-12T21:27:14.505-04:00N&W High Voltage & Close Clearance Signs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiJpAd-nOIPyPti34wf1EfidwaxisxrSSXT9KiqbtyRjB3qqz4xagRmyyMvIGUD5hP7bosEuTly9rF6Jd17N5HKFt21ciM0apiy4RFAnwHEix0VGTf26_9ScyZdYF1udhS2u_H0A-qDin/s1600/N%2526W+Clearance+sign+Mar+8+2012+sml.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiJpAd-nOIPyPti34wf1EfidwaxisxrSSXT9KiqbtyRjB3qqz4xagRmyyMvIGUD5hP7bosEuTly9rF6Jd17N5HKFt21ciM0apiy4RFAnwHEix0VGTf26_9ScyZdYF1udhS2u_H0A-qDin/s320/N%2526W+Clearance+sign+Mar+8+2012+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719186965614080450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQc8fI4gpRE4Q3y3PIs4jww9F1uZeoGAASQOSUT1NGsNxAQL3ZeWxhqjJ7jDTON8jp6wCiGemlTWHeG46TdBigVvNU9EmtcOu6sBP26iz_N1LDQKfksMX1wD3wJ6snUnP3HQ2bmn350Jw/s1600/N%2526W+Danger+Sign+mp+197+5+old+main+line+Jan+19+2011+comp.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQc8fI4gpRE4Q3y3PIs4jww9F1uZeoGAASQOSUT1NGsNxAQL3ZeWxhqjJ7jDTON8jp6wCiGemlTWHeG46TdBigVvNU9EmtcOu6sBP26iz_N1LDQKfksMX1wD3wJ6snUnP3HQ2bmn350Jw/s320/N%2526W+Danger+Sign+mp+197+5+old+main+line+Jan+19+2011+comp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577653953886992754" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Running beside N&W's right of way were poles carrying wires for communication and signal control. This thin, tin sign was about milepost 197.5 on the abandoned, old mainline west of Concord, Va. and warned of high voltage wires above. January 2011 </strong><br /><br />At a freight house in Appomattox County on the abandoned old N&W mainline around Lynchburg, this sign was once used. It is baked enamel and warned railroad workers that the clearance between the structure and a freight car was not sufficient for a man to pass. March 2012Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-90895324487070181782010-12-23T16:53:00.005-05:002011-02-25T10:51:01.786-05:00N&W Cast Iron Sign<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXSGb3p1ve7xlPHo8gvPwleMDKaZVhiIrz0jhQ8R9AkBe9lmwkoc9LcRY7lp39OmtL_-6PQNF-I4wB6_-YdtKKHi6rK5J43g5bFhw4vJmgUhrsPKmXcus-LcvwqdjjsYL1Rxp1DrZ59xL/s1600/RR+Do+Not+Walk+sign+Buchanan+County.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXSGb3p1ve7xlPHo8gvPwleMDKaZVhiIrz0jhQ8R9AkBe9lmwkoc9LcRY7lp39OmtL_-6PQNF-I4wB6_-YdtKKHi6rK5J43g5bFhw4vJmgUhrsPKmXcus-LcvwqdjjsYL1Rxp1DrZ59xL/s320/RR+Do+Not+Walk+sign+Buchanan+County.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577655075807775026" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">In the 1920's and 1930's Norfolk & Western cast these heavy signs in the railroad's Roanoke Shops. Made of scrap iron it has far less the ingredients it should have to make it a strong piece of cast iron, but it was inexpensive to make. This 55 pound sign was a gift and I was told by the donor that it came from N&W's Bluestone Branch which was a coal mine branch of about twenty miles, reaching from the mainline at Bluestone to a connection with the Virginian Railway at Matoaka and on to Giatto. My sign had been broken many years ago and repaired by the railroad by bolting a piece of iron across the top on the back side. I had it welded on the back by a skilled craftsman and I chose to not sand it clean and repaint it to new condition. I feel the crack in the cast iron and the peeled paint attest to the age and character of the piece.</span> November 2010</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-47634513983070579672010-06-26T21:04:00.009-04:002016-12-07T18:06:18.119-05:00VIRGINIAN RAILWAY Speed Limit Sign<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfsNc2qLNYTprvN51FrE2DR5gJeaI4EES4PPk-Bax1y3PBdZbZXbgBy2c5an9IJmeIrxCer79aDDsL8PYO3WVTUCfY3ECjLkn4ocBbC1HxOtuM1VUgk_Gc5eHgmORI1_jxrFgNUMb27VV/s1600/VGN+Speed+Limit+Sign+c+April+2010+AWiley+comp.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487257079311291186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfsNc2qLNYTprvN51FrE2DR5gJeaI4EES4PPk-Bax1y3PBdZbZXbgBy2c5an9IJmeIrxCer79aDDsL8PYO3WVTUCfY3ECjLkn4ocBbC1HxOtuM1VUgk_Gc5eHgmORI1_jxrFgNUMb27VV/s320/VGN+Speed+Limit+Sign+c+April+2010+AWiley+comp.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 190px;" /></a><br />
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Virginian had signs informing speed restrictions at many locations, but most were found at tight curves. These orange/yellow signs saying a speed limit were placed 200 yards in advance of the restricted speed area where another sign with the actual "SLOW" sign was placed. On the far side of the restricted speed area, another sign was placed, green sign with white lettering, "RESUME SPEED." This side of the speed limit sign is restored while the reverse side is left untouched and the lettering is in very poor condition. Rather than destroy what little remained on both sides of the sign, I chose to restore one side.</div>
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Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-90351896092711663832010-06-25T12:24:00.003-04:002010-06-25T12:30:09.331-04:00VIRGINIAN Steam Locomotive Firebricks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgAAUHtqRh5uiFo2POkEvt3ggMrhpsPlLVE8cibYgkFKntQhj20M4DaLwb8p43MNc-cfIZ3AY_n1r-W9eJBjYkpQzmXOQjF8lRkEQcT3Ibpkk82BjIgWA1NaeXqbvFR2UAsmmZxiDHxaW/s1600/VGN+Firebrick+American+Arch+Security+Best+comp+b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486749374816959634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgAAUHtqRh5uiFo2POkEvt3ggMrhpsPlLVE8cibYgkFKntQhj20M4DaLwb8p43MNc-cfIZ3AY_n1r-W9eJBjYkpQzmXOQjF8lRkEQcT3Ibpkk82BjIgWA1NaeXqbvFR2UAsmmZxiDHxaW/s320/VGN+Firebrick+American+Arch+Security+Best+comp+b.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4PQ8eHS9NjTTqIDmpdKzvizH1EJtB_Z2z7Xkeyo4_3_aNm7ak837uRR031emSwvk4xphAi6MXhKyXQQQ43C0NbGuh7wO-mjAE0knJ9JMghXciGKEQefL3b_45ACCBgf7ZcRNlvAH0T84/s1600/Fern+Garden+w+Firebrick+comp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486749053613284146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4PQ8eHS9NjTTqIDmpdKzvizH1EJtB_Z2z7Xkeyo4_3_aNm7ak837uRR031emSwvk4xphAi6MXhKyXQQQ43C0NbGuh7wO-mjAE0knJ9JMghXciGKEQefL3b_45ACCBgf7ZcRNlvAH0T84/s400/Fern+Garden+w+Firebrick+comp.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div align="justify">Arranged in a row in our fern garden, near the collection of other railroad relics, are four large boiler fire bricks discarded by the Virginian Railway shop force in Victoria, Virginia in 1959. The writing cast into it reads, "American Arch Security Company." Future research may provide more information. They are the gifts of Greg Elam and Edwin Massie, both of Victoria, who told me they were intended for the railroad's 500 (BA class) or 900 ( AG class) locomotives, when needed. </div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-45427757248607014732010-06-25T12:02:00.004-04:002010-06-25T14:38:52.989-04:00C&O Fire Hydrant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiW002YAF7MrpwLsOGk5a-HZivChpzlf8LCgpUszUoQJHQlTdsNgk78sH6_svwlfp7l3sq-jAn7P-aLSeKbe1DRn_FpBNIL2fW0pRsIaKn-1M6KS3eONYY9o8ufV7UUIHBQ7jcBzIzzEL/s1600/C&O+Hydrant+mounted+in+rrsg+C+comp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486747665650411586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiW002YAF7MrpwLsOGk5a-HZivChpzlf8LCgpUszUoQJHQlTdsNgk78sH6_svwlfp7l3sq-jAn7P-aLSeKbe1DRn_FpBNIL2fW0pRsIaKn-1M6KS3eONYY9o8ufV7UUIHBQ7jcBzIzzEL/s400/C&O+Hydrant+mounted+in+rrsg+C+comp.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWfufDAGxLlOLjJBYM_gAjBM0g1-m0s79YuqF-Qzthyphenhypheni0Y0C8uKUrGZeq8lebu9dxTI6KJKKe4KzrpJDxnuWulxxV5W5Sawj1aN6w0iaerCSaxEFK7Ng6nzbe2S3orKdNLqqT-vtZTSqj/s1600/Eddy+Valve+Co+Hydrany+early+logo+short+barrel+C%26O+in+Relic+Garden+March+26+2010+comp.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div align="justify">Gladstone, Virginia was an important crew change point on the C&O's James River subdivision until about 1985. In its hey-day, Gladstone had a yard, roundhouse with a turntable, steam engine service facilities, car repair area, coal and water facilities for steam locomotives and a large wood, two story station. A YMCA was there for the train crews to have their rest. In the 21st century, all that remains are the two story station and part of the yard. All through the railroad yard there were railroad installed and maintained fire hydrants. In the spring of 2010, I was given the fire plug that was behind the roundhouse. </div><div align="justify"><br />This fire hydrant was manufactured by Eddy Valve Company in the early 20th century and is a short barrel, dry barrel type. It has two 2-1/2" outlets which would serve 250 gallons of water a minute, each. The color of the bonnet tells that it sat on a 12" main water line which could furnish 1,000 gallons per minute. The railroads huge water tank was close, only about 50 yards away, so that explains the ample water flow available. This information was provided by Capt. John Spinner of the Lynchburg Fire department.</div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-55348775553083981432010-06-25T11:58:00.003-04:002010-06-25T12:02:30.786-04:00C&O SIgn for Pearch, Virginia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD44xxKSpAdDvAXTuKZTBWrdOOrdhnyC3UL7oWbNtYagH1Q3dNTZI4g0yogD8L8zwA-ht6GLtGnML2CxUJ76dOwPi_g-D3cOWR_lQCgooRqzSHK1kasAgKNAL-bbZ_zB5VOj6kzyKdXX_g/s1600/Pearch+Sign+Restored+Feb+09+AWileyA+small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 203px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486741926809687810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD44xxKSpAdDvAXTuKZTBWrdOOrdhnyC3UL7oWbNtYagH1Q3dNTZI4g0yogD8L8zwA-ht6GLtGnML2CxUJ76dOwPi_g-D3cOWR_lQCgooRqzSHK1kasAgKNAL-bbZ_zB5VOj6kzyKdXX_g/s320/Pearch+Sign+Restored+Feb+09+AWileyA+small.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I22G5wV0OhkyThycc2CwXLv_l1jOYVDSBHY_prqSDT7mL0g_1McJFcCbuJnOQ7Qnd0Bf3MZkdsR7C5iL1CMkZQKZjAXU9shyk6MOcqv6eprZybd9DAXIRYK_SpQjSoHC9pMvpZm74tdv/s1600/Pearch+map.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486742114040272242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I22G5wV0OhkyThycc2CwXLv_l1jOYVDSBHY_prqSDT7mL0g_1McJFcCbuJnOQ7Qnd0Bf3MZkdsR7C5iL1CMkZQKZjAXU9shyk6MOcqv6eprZybd9DAXIRYK_SpQjSoHC9pMvpZm74tdv/s320/Pearch+map.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: right; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; CLEAR: right; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" href="javascript:void(0);"></a>Pearch was located on the James River subdivision of the C&O Ry at milepost 161.3, 13 miles west of Lynchburg, Virginia. In the mid 1970's a C&O coal train derailed at PEARCH, dislodging this sign. The railroad cleanup crew discarded it, and gave it to me. It sits atop its original 6/6 wood post just a few yards from the C&O signal. </div><div><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; CLEAR: left; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="javascript:void(0);"></a>Pearch was originally called Pedlar's but it was changed to Pearch in the early years of the 20th century. The original name probably came from the fact of the confluence of the James and Pedlar rivers being just to the east. In its hey-day, apples and timber were shipped as well as grain mill products. In addition to the mill there was also a combination store, agent's office and telegraph office, all in one structure. In addition to the C&O railroad, Pearch was connected to the outside world by a gravel road to the east to Holmcomb Rock, running close beside the C&O right of way. From the late 1800's into the early 1900's, a cable ferry crossed the James River to Amherst County. The lumber probably was produced on the Bedford County side of the river and the grain and apples came from across the river in Amherst County. </div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-64441768007420782682010-06-25T11:52:00.002-04:002010-06-25T11:57:59.193-04:00N&W Switch Point for Yard Crews<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNkWELjODNl9jq6M_nr33vhnSwl0_nqROhYbjZQYf-isQa-k6pgDFJ6A9ncrF9TyC-0I2WngiQQxfIHa4eeFXYfdEZ9vQ-8DCVYCYDIRdy78MzVLJTzH9yjOcOIo0O-yVvwbtVilKlJ0z/s1600/N&W+rail+marker+AWiley+small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 221px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486741056910095810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNkWELjODNl9jq6M_nr33vhnSwl0_nqROhYbjZQYf-isQa-k6pgDFJ6A9ncrF9TyC-0I2WngiQQxfIHa4eeFXYfdEZ9vQ-8DCVYCYDIRdy78MzVLJTzH9yjOcOIo0O-yVvwbtVilKlJ0z/s320/N&W+rail+marker+AWiley+small.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Until the 1970's, N&W had a very active yard on an island in the James River at Lynchburg and just beyond the west end of the island were connections with Southern and C&O railroads. This piece of rail, about 70 pounds per yard I estimate, was placed vertical along one of the through tracks so that an engineer would know his train of a certain amount of cars had cleared a point. </div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-22689217583142554472010-06-25T11:46:00.009-04:002012-01-31T07:49:42.533-05:00Atlantic & Danville Railroad Switchstand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGTaOfLvAxVhgG1clR_eIRqn1T55RqfS0saWFKl_xcnmrl4JonIbDsAHRJHgzD50jM9yLxq78TdFgOGzn2frqA8IvZr7iZh3jtmyJR7y7EiV5u_y9WNa4RFUViishu8SU-lSFwIqlWSSg/s1600/RR+Switch+Sweepers+001+sml.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGTaOfLvAxVhgG1clR_eIRqn1T55RqfS0saWFKl_xcnmrl4JonIbDsAHRJHgzD50jM9yLxq78TdFgOGzn2frqA8IvZr7iZh3jtmyJR7y7EiV5u_y9WNa4RFUViishu8SU-lSFwIqlWSSg/s200/RR+Switch+Sweepers+001+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703777444435930882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkG9PTBZWQLCzLPSj9YF7obOk6NFz58QhagrwWkQ7MmKenBkqU_IVuCKCUx1877mylzzawiE-7CDrBYX1ylTn0m56KMVFJ1czH3uq6RZc0ObjoYXjW3vK3YJrFbIo87Ifn5kFyx-1wjR_/s1600/A%2526D+1927+switchstand+location+center+on+spur+to+factory+small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkG9PTBZWQLCzLPSj9YF7obOk6NFz58QhagrwWkQ7MmKenBkqU_IVuCKCUx1877mylzzawiE-7CDrBYX1ylTn0m56KMVFJ1czH3uq6RZc0ObjoYXjW3vK3YJrFbIo87Ifn5kFyx-1wjR_/s200/A%2526D+1927+switchstand+location+center+on+spur+to+factory+small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703777156042111346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYCCDTD7oTkxQN8vsu1x9AhDdVnxfIKjWSWTY590NShkzA4p8_TJqhEA3ygTv8yYdHiu6D_JgKlm2mV6DwiIwTopKXhdJkjnsBTRyZyCpyFQrB_o7tdfD_G16YQrrSXaE5ZLZ2olIhFBc/s1600/A%2526D+Switchstand+w+broom+jan+17+2012+sml.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYCCDTD7oTkxQN8vsu1x9AhDdVnxfIKjWSWTY590NShkzA4p8_TJqhEA3ygTv8yYdHiu6D_JgKlm2mV6DwiIwTopKXhdJkjnsBTRyZyCpyFQrB_o7tdfD_G16YQrrSXaE5ZLZ2olIhFBc/s400/A%2526D+Switchstand+w+broom+jan+17+2012+sml.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703775934726632066" /></a><br />Eventually reaching 205 miles between Norfolk and Danville, Virginia, the Atlantic & Danville Railroad was started in 1883 and completed in 1890. It was owned by British investors. Its freight and passenger traffic was never overwhelming to say the least and in 1899, Southern Railway leased it for fifty years. It operated independently between 1949 and 1962 when N&W bought the operation and changed its name to Norfolk, Franklin & Danville Railroad. However, the NF&D faded into the Norfolk Southern fold all together 1n 1983. Mile by mile, unprofitable track was abandoned and removed until by the end of 2008, less than 90 miles of the original line remained. Acquired from the abandoned right of way of the old Atlantic & Danville Railroad near milepost 95, this early 1900's switchstand was saved from a scrap heap's fate. As with the other RAILROAD SCULPTURE GARDEN pieces, help was gratefully accepted from Greg Elam and Jack Hammack. It is pictured 7 days after being obtained, repaired, cleaned and installed on two crossties in our Relic Garden. Beside it is a switch broom, used to clear snow from between switch points in the bad winter weather. This particular switch broom has a story of its own, coming from the old D&RGW west of Denver. The brooms used to keep switches clear of snow were made of a very stiff and heavy broom material.Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-10620072735855206212010-06-25T11:23:00.004-04:002010-06-25T11:45:33.434-04:00Chesapeake & Ohio - Chessie System dwarf signal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil49TvuzSehN6VuyYyGeTX7g5p0pPe6p-dPqvcpy209XBwVdvx79ZJ3wEI_rPQtyp2Jvr0b5aQ4r84kasr_i0NpnUGFLbvTRgsgF-4OjzkOY8ttXRK7YGd-5pKFqM5zeXsj0zgVj2MPDr9/s1600/C&O+dwarf+May+22+2010+in+relic+garden+slow+approach+small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486734870476235970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil49TvuzSehN6VuyYyGeTX7g5p0pPe6p-dPqvcpy209XBwVdvx79ZJ3wEI_rPQtyp2Jvr0b5aQ4r84kasr_i0NpnUGFLbvTRgsgF-4OjzkOY8ttXRK7YGd-5pKFqM5zeXsj0zgVj2MPDr9/s320/C&O+dwarf+May+22+2010+in+relic+garden+slow+approach+small.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pSDzSTOWDhTlfkqkCvDh6C3a3vzpD0UZs44_LHRFYZylfAVNwNoi74Xw0aXXxRub5v62ESIStb0Vv-KjhbkyPY5IMBOmuXKrPEm-pFS2XM5Q4kE2l8nIEHVoiGqaNdg098_Ct7BIKk_P/s1600/C&O+dwarf+being+removed+we+Alpine+May+3+2010+GRH+small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486734527406946530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pSDzSTOWDhTlfkqkCvDh6C3a3vzpD0UZs44_LHRFYZylfAVNwNoi74Xw0aXXxRub5v62ESIStb0Vv-KjhbkyPY5IMBOmuXKrPEm-pFS2XM5Q4kE2l8nIEHVoiGqaNdg098_Ct7BIKk_P/s320/C&O+dwarf+being+removed+we+Alpine+May+3+2010+GRH+small.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">CSX carried out another huge signal replacement project in May 2010 along the James River Subdivision. The result was that on Monday, May 3rd, this Safetran model CLS 10-D dwarf signal was pulled from the right of way much like a dentist removes a tooth! I am told it was installed circa 1978. I was able to obtain it from CSX for scrap and within three weeks, it was cleaned, repaired of damage caused when it was extracted, restored, rewired and made operational. It was mounted on a concrete pad as it was when in use when protecting westbound trains from the passing siding at the west end of Alpine, milepost 185.7. For this still picture, it is showing a "Slow Approach" indication in our Relic Garden.</div></div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-25848855801723239212010-06-25T11:04:00.002-04:002010-06-25T11:23:14.179-04:00Chesapeake & Ohio Color Light Signal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpqDPu21m0oxUjYj-VCYqAAqsHAqs0zRiTmp3PrQ3VDyb3qd6h0fZur9xU4kXbCI9m1ffKEjkUiUK9quDSV8kkNXI-gj8D-g4c0XTyoPaosFuBvGgL8Asfy1mrWgYIsnDELJt4vjWETKc/s1600/C&O+signal+complete+June+2010+A+comp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486732048178472274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpqDPu21m0oxUjYj-VCYqAAqsHAqs0zRiTmp3PrQ3VDyb3qd6h0fZur9xU4kXbCI9m1ffKEjkUiUK9quDSV8kkNXI-gj8D-g4c0XTyoPaosFuBvGgL8Asfy1mrWgYIsnDELJt4vjWETKc/s320/C&O+signal+complete+June+2010+A+comp.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="justify">This old C&O signal was discarded in a massive CSX signal modernization program in West Virginia. The signal, manufactured by the Union Switch & Signal Company (US&S), model R-2, and put in service by the C&O in 1947, was originally installed on the mainline in West Virginia. I have been guided through the restoration and installation by friends Matt Crouch, Mike Mullins and Scott Greathouse who are knowledgeable of C&O signal practices. Charlie Long is a long time friend whose company is always enjoyed and treasured. Charlie eagerly supports this signal restoration project with hard work. Felix Guavara, our grandson, is a joy to be around and is a hard worker. He has helped me avoid several mistakes. Charlotte was always ready to help when I got myself into a corner. Rick Johnson, Jr. did the impossible in obtaining a ladder platform and milepost number sign for me. It has been restored and made operational to represent the signal for westbound trains at Gobbler's Knob, milepost 172.5 on the James River subdivision. </div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-22846766902506906302010-06-25T10:11:00.003-04:002011-01-03T19:11:30.137-05:00N&W Phone Box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHuUNfep4amS-ieI_CFO0YAu-_utu1f_s5zEIUKakMCN1rzzRXSb7Aw-TWjQnBB_9WhtpRe_OMbfgFU3qwzY_prheWlQMljglo8vi0WaL-0UdZKUHUIrLOGgmxJVL8J1fwesWzhZdKzAG/s1600/N%2526W+phone+box+x2101wb+Swords+Creek+51+miles+w+of+Bluefield+clinch+valley+line+a+comp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 304px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558115284090351682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHuUNfep4amS-ieI_CFO0YAu-_utu1f_s5zEIUKakMCN1rzzRXSb7Aw-TWjQnBB_9WhtpRe_OMbfgFU3qwzY_prheWlQMljglo8vi0WaL-0UdZKUHUIrLOGgmxJVL8J1fwesWzhZdKzAG/s200/N%2526W+phone+box+x2101wb+Swords+Creek+51+miles+w+of+Bluefield+clinch+valley+line+a+comp.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit66eKjo6qklZ7ZqoWBg0tmB3f3g4nGvvqej9Ebrdc2txGq2mqNsCiiPnnn996mEcuk94TH-aGWKynoQTq9RaSsMXcl1wRCn3P96zMxtrNun5BiJmyxHon_ImhTRx1fDz_Jxcnzo-rIzeq/s1600/N&W+phone+inside+June+10+2010+01a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486714958643711474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit66eKjo6qklZ7ZqoWBg0tmB3f3g4nGvvqej9Ebrdc2txGq2mqNsCiiPnnn996mEcuk94TH-aGWKynoQTq9RaSsMXcl1wRCn3P96zMxtrNun5BiJmyxHon_ImhTRx1fDz_Jxcnzo-rIzeq/s320/N&W+phone+inside+June+10+2010+01a.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; CLEAR: left; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="javascript:void(0);"></a><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: right; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; CLEAR: right; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" href="javascript:void(0);"></a></div>
<br /><div align="justify">The steel N<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocwFv0F_0I4SfdC1rbtpTWoNwuatPZgaByR0Wj4yCXw_p4BRoptQ_1DIqa9c_V_XbgJoQB5iEI6e8Bz63ZDw4nN0BG0MaDdFMlx5CF21v6MGQD-lmYOzK60lEkS_SFvN-d9ihlvFzNRce/s1600/N&W+Phone+Box+complete+AWiley+comp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486714953373555906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocwFv0F_0I4SfdC1rbtpTWoNwuatPZgaByR0Wj4yCXw_p4BRoptQ_1DIqa9c_V_XbgJoQB5iEI6e8Bz63ZDw4nN0BG0MaDdFMlx5CF21v6MGQD-lmYOzK60lEkS_SFvN-d9ihlvFzNRce/s320/N&W+Phone+Box+complete+AWiley+comp.jpg" /></a>orfolk & Western phone box was probably used by the railroad at the north end of the passing track at Sargents, Ohio in the railroad's Columbus, Ohio district of the Scioto Division. I was told the phone box was used on the Portsmouth - Columbus Ohio line and I believe it came from the Sargents location because the box has the number "20" on each side and that would be about the correct milepost for Sargents. The milepost numbers start at Portsmouth and go to Columbus, mp 98.20. Inside the door, there is a card holder for the ring codes of frequently used locations. There was no card in it when I received it but some names were faintly visible from being penciled on the sliver paint: Lucasville, Waverly, Renick and Chllicothe. The phone had two different lines, one for the dispatcher and one called a "message line" for local area conversations of company matters of course. A crank ringer was used to call the desired location. For example, Lucasville was one short, one long and one short. Based on the last battery inspection date of Dec. 12, 1985 on a tag inside, it must have been taken out of service about 1986. It is pictured, above left, with restoration and installation in our relic garden compete. On the left top of the wood post is an insulator which secured the communication wire and the phone box door is locked with a vintage brass N&W lock. * The small above ground junction box seen to the right of the phone box has a build date stamped inside of 1902 and it came from the old C&O near Lewis Tunnel, Virginia. The vintage picture above and right shows the crew of N&W train west bound extra 2101 at a phone box at Swords Creek about 51 miles west of Bluefield, WV on the Clinch Valley line.
<br /></div><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="javascript:void(0);"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" href="javascript:void(0);"></a></div></div>
<br />Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666970619507432376.post-40294491024356841042010-06-25T10:05:00.002-04:002010-06-25T10:11:16.986-04:00Railroad Crossing Lights and Bell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmdkNjWkJdMhq_CEBoWJFpwPQYvERA4VFFruWcQgsdgLtF0-B0wA8dBz8vpGPz7aV0ZR2D-nwgftFpHQ7pOAS5eW22eMRCBbfzEM_zeIqIRTudoL3wa4BYEIrgyIjdvzUq0RtWM4ueHuJ/s1600/RR+Crossing+all+May+2009+AWiley+comp.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486713566363226898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmdkNjWkJdMhq_CEBoWJFpwPQYvERA4VFFruWcQgsdgLtF0-B0wA8dBz8vpGPz7aV0ZR2D-nwgftFpHQ7pOAS5eW22eMRCBbfzEM_zeIqIRTudoL3wa4BYEIrgyIjdvzUq0RtWM4ueHuJ/s320/RR+Crossing+all+May+2009+AWiley+comp.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div align="justify">The railroad crossing sign is a cobbled collection of four parts from three Virginia railroads from locations hundreds of miles apart. The grade crossing lights were found in an antique shop in Fairfield, Va. in December 2006 for a very small fraction of the usual going price. The unit was retired from use at a grade crossing near Midvale, milepost 174 on Norfolk & Western's Shenandoah line. It operates by an alternating, flashing timer.<br />The N&W crossing bell, manufactured by Western Railroad Supply Company, was provided by friend Rick Rader in May 2009. It had been retired from use on the former N&W's Radford Division. The bell and lights are wired through a timer so that they are on for several seconds and then off for a few minutes.<br />The circa 1930 crossing sign ("crossbuck") with glass beaded letters was found in an antique store in southeastern Virginia in October 2008. It was stabilized and restored to appear in its old condition. In other words, it was cleaned, sanded, primed, repainted and restored to look old again. It was manufactured by General Railway Supply Company for the Virginian Railway. The location of its use is uncertain, but it probably was used around Jarratt, Virginia, about milepost 75.<br />The glass beaded track number sign was a gift from friend Garland Harper in February 2009. It had been used at a crossing at Barboursville, Virginia on the Washington Division on the Southern Railway's double track right of way, but it was discarded by the railroad many years earlier.</div>Aubrey Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04339793472029373134noreply@blogger.com0