locomtive poles

[Dr Leonard]

Yes, during my early teen years in Michigan I watched the crew of a Grand Trunk Western local freight use the pole to push a car on an adjacent track. It was done as described above, using the "dimples" on the ends of the pilot beam. When not in use the pole was hung under the tender of the 2-8-0. I believe these were known as "pike poles" (or was that just in the logging industry?) and were later outlawed because, if they snapped, bystanders could be injured or killed.

In the image at this link http://www.railarchive.net/gtw2683ctf.jpg you can see the pole hanging below the tender, partly hidden by the crewman standing next to it. [Photo (c) Richard Leonard, taken at Bellevue, Michigan, 1953]

[cnw400]

locomtive (sic) "poles", "russian" decapods, "chinese" steam- oh my!

[agentatascadero]

When I saw the title "locomotive poles",I thought this was going to be about electric locos.It should have said "locomotive polls". BTW, I voted for Southern Pacific.

I had a different thought, that the "pole" referred to was that(the pole) which was used with those "cute little dimples" you see on virtually every steam locomotive drawbar.  Poling was a creative but dangerous practice where one would use a pole long enough to reach from the locomotive to a car on the next track over to move the car from an adjacent track.  In old photos one can see the pole stored underneath the tender on hooks.  I hope there may be some old heads who can report on actual experience with this practice.  AA

[Anonymous]

PS: I know, I know; I should have just let this "pole" die quietly. [:(]Sorry.[:(]

[Anonymous]

The Central Pacific? Yeah, I like fallen flags too, but that's a little ridiculous. I think someone's been watching too many simplified railroad history specials--the ones that end about 1869 or so.

[Anonymous]

voted for UP but BNSF forever..............untill the merger

[GEARHEAD6PACK]

U.P. Uber Alles

[Dr Leonard]

Yes, I would think the Milwaukee's bipolar electrics would top the poll of locomotive pole polls.

[espeefoamer]

When I saw the title "locomotive poles",I thought this was going to be about electric locos.It should have said "locomotive polls". BTW, I voted for Southern Pacific.

[Anonymous]

Favorite railroad poll tally: 542,094...and counting.
Good to see, however, that the MR forum is not the only forum that has worthless polls.


Oh, and where is CSX?

Matt

[enr2099]

Mine aren't on there...

1)Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway
2)Canadian National Railway

[Anonymous]

My vote goes to Norfolk Southern. I guess this is my favorite because I live 15 minutes from their mainline.

[Snoq. Pass RR]

None of my favorites are listed, so here they are in order of favorite:
Milwaukee Road
Seattle, Portland, and Spokane
Delware & Hudson

[Anonymous]

I grew up along side my fav. The CNO&TP.[:D]

[Poppa_Zit]

What an original, thought-provoking, never-been-done idea for a poll!

Now I'm just waiting for someone to take a poll on our favorite ice cream flavors.

Make mine Chocolate Chip.

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by artschlosser

Mislabeled thread, methinks. A locomotive pole was usually carried on the tender and was used to move a car on an adjacent track; a dangerous practice not allowed these days.

A Very badly mislabeled thread!!

In my opinion,the Chesapeake & Ohio was the best!!

[Anonymous]

Chicago & Northwestern, Chicago Burlington & Quincy, Burlington Northern, Norfork & Western, Union Pacific

[Anonymous]

Nope. You got it right. N&W was up there. (grins)

Regards! Michaelson

[Anonymous]

None of the above.

Some "pole".

[JanOlov]

I've got too many favorites to choose from.....[:I]

Milwaukee Road
Great Northern
Northern Pacific
Norfolk & Western
Lehigh Valley
Reading
Delaware & Hudson
Western MarylandGulf, Mobile & Ohio
New York, New Haven & Hartford

A wee bit of a split personality, or what do you think? [:o)]

[ragnar]

And its poll.....not pole!!

[Train 284]

A LOT of railroads are missing, but I got my favorite, Southern Pacific!

[marthastrainyard]

MA & PA, absolutely!

[David_Telesha]

I agree none of the above...

Where are New Haven, Pennsylvania, B&M, CV, NYCentral, etc.?

[soapbox]

[Anonymous]

Mislabeled thread, methinks. A locomotive pole was usually carried on the tender and was used to move a car on an adjacent track; a dangerous practice not allowed these days.

And as for railroad companies, no midwest lines at all!! What about the Wabash, the Monon, GM&O, Illinois Central, Chicago and Eastern Illinois, et cetera.

Art

[Anonymous]

None of the above.

Where is the Reading, the Central Railroad of New Jersey, PRSL, Western Maryland, Ma & Pa, the Tuscarora Valley, NY,NH&H, BAR, NYS&W, Susquahanna & Western, Newport and Sherman Valley, East Broad Top, Philadelphia & Western, the Eagles Mere, etc.?

[PBenham]

I voted for N&W since the Lehigh Valley, Rutland, New Haven, Boston& Maine, Nickel Plate and Lackawanna weren't up there! shame..[V]

[Anonymous]

This is the wierd place to die,honey?