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The hand throw switch stand by the fence at the south end is one piece of equipment that has not changed over the years and for which there should always be a need. When the red target is parallel to the track, it tells the crew that the switch is lined for straight track. When the red target is turned to show red across the track, it alerts the crew that the switch is lined for a turn off from the track that is being used. Hand throw switches must be locked at all times. The smaller motor car is called a track car and was used by an employee who would be on the track by himself. This would be a Track Rider or Track Inspector, Signalman or Lineman. The car is light enough for one person to put it on or off the track at a motor car set-off. A motor car set-off was constructed of ties placed perpendicular to the rails onto which the motor car could be turned and placed. Road crossings were not to be used for getting off the track unless there was an emergency. The engine on the rider car is a five horsepower two cycle Fairmont air cooled engine made in Fairmont, Minnesota. You could put the car in reverse without stopping by shutting off the engine, putting the lever in reverse, starting the engine and backwards you went. There was a canvas curtain which could be placed around the car to protect the operator from the weather. The black box acts as a heater which collects the heat off the top of the engine and brings it up above the deck. This item was not added to the motor car until the middle 1900s. Prior to that the only heat the operator got was what would raise up through and around the deck. A car of this type would be used by the Track Inspector in patrolling a 60 to 70 mile segment of trackage assigned to him. He would patrol the whole segment one day and then return the next day to his headquarters location. He checked for broken rails, missing or broken bolts, low spots, spread rail or any condition that might affect the operation of trains. If it were a problem he could not repair himself, he would instruct the section foreman and his gang to make the repairs. There would be as many as six to eight section gangs on his territory, and most repairs were done by hand. Today repairs are usually done with mobile mechanical equipment. This class of motor car was also used by a lineman, also called a Division Lineman. This person patrolled the track looking for any condition in the wires, poles or crossarms that could affect telegraph communication. The lineman also checked battery wells located along the track to be sure they were in working order. The wells contained a mixture of water and acid around lead plates which suppled power for the system. Signalmen also used this smaller motor car as they rode the track in their territory. They would check bond wires between-each section of rail and also the battery wells to insure they were fully charged so they would operate the crossing gates and crossing flasher signals. The wells are still in use where there is no electric line. Solar panels are used for power in some places. Opposite the Track Inspector motor car is a larger car called a Track Gang Car. It has the same type engine as the smaller car except it is a six horsepower engine. This car would be used by a Section Foreman and four or five laborers which made up his gang. The car behind the motor car was called a rubble car and it was used to haul their tools, ties, gravel and whatever else they might need to the work site for the day. These men would work under severe weather conditions and with somewhat primitive tools to keep the track in safe operating condition. There are two crossing signals of a mechanical nature on exhibit. The one on the left is from the early 1900s and it is called the banjo type because of its construction. This signal was reconstructed for the Railroad Museum by a Regional Signal Foreman who picked up spare parts at various locations and placed it for the Museum with the approval of the Burlington Northern Railroad. As time went on, the banjo type signal was replaced by the type to the right of the viewer and is the type generally being used today. One of the reasons for the change was that the viewer was looking under the red swinging light, and the alternating flashing lights near eye level were much more effective. |