What is it

[John Busby]

Hi guys

In the following http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1202880/ShowPost.aspx

post is a picture of a small station with what looks like it might be a signal????.

What exactly is it??

And has any of the Kalmbach publications had a plan of a similar sized and type station building.

regards John

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I really have no idea, but could it be something akin to a stop line?  Something to allow the engineer to know where to stop his end of a car to allow the back door to be right close to the miniscule station (and probably even smaller platform or steps)?

[vsmith]

Its a varient of a flag stop, where the station is just a nice version of a shed to keep out of the weather, likely with no attandant, where instead of placing a flag on the side of the station, one would pull a rope or rod down till the arm was raised horizontaly as in the pic, to let the engineer know to stop and pick up passenger, if its down, he rolls on thru. Once stopped and passengers collected, the conductor (or someone) would lower the arm back down prior to proceeding.

[ttrigg]

Vic "Nailed it".  Many years ago there was a similar "station" on the line from Manhattan KS to Ft. Riley.  There were a couple of "unstaffed" stops where waiting passengers would push the "flag" to the horizontal.  As best I can remember, there was a small board that pivoted on the "flag" and sat on a wooden block to hold the flag up.  I remember seeing the fireman reach out and slap the "push pole" with his shovel to drop the flag.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Since we're answering obscure questions, where did the term "whistle stop" come from?   Logic would say it was something akin to a flag stop in that they would blow whistle when approaching the station and if somebody appeared, they would stop!   How close is that guess?

[vsmith]

Bob, thats as best a description as I can find. I beleive flags were prefered as you didnt have to wake up the whole valley on the off-chance someone might be at the station.

-

PS the Alaska RR still has flagstops.

[spikejones52002]

The Chicago South Shore and South Bend RR. has a flag stop station.

Beverly Shore which is the first station west of Michigan City, In.

Up to about 5 years ago. You had to light a match or lighter or carry a flashlight to stop the train. Now they installed a strobe light.

The W.P & Y. RR out of Skagway Alaska. will flag stop anywhere along the track.

[John Busby]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your answers

Sounds like a fun little project that should not be too hard to make by the look of the post the arm should be about cab height.

If its obscure well I did not know that, well that just makes it more interesting

That just leaves which publication ( Year Month) has had a drawing of a similar or suitable building for such a station.

regards John

[ttrigg]

That just leaves which publication ( Year Month) has had a drawing of a similar or suitable building for such a station.

At the risk of sounding like a smartalec, that station looks to be not much more that a stove pipe, 3 windows and a door.  Might even go so far as to not even bother with the door and its wall, so as to be able to see someone actually waiting for the train.

Think I remember seeing a viable birdhouse at Michael's, rip off one wall (obviously the one with the "bird door"), add some paint, thrown in a bench seat, a waiting passenger or two and a couple of boxes of freight.  

Thanks for the concept!!!!!!!