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My brain didn't fry, didn't even get hot. I'm not even hot now. But oh, all those splinters! "Pole Burner" is an archaic railroad slang term for a signalman (signal maintainer). It derives from the fact that in the old days, the pole lines along the rightofway were used and maintained by signal maintainers. Pole "Burning" was an unpleasant occupational hazard of this profession, thus the nickname. Occasionally, while climbing a pole with spiked climber boots, a maintainer would slip and fall. Since he was also tethered to the pole by a safety belt, he would slide down the pole, being held close to the pole by the belt, gathering a face full of splinters and severe friction burns. The process was refered to as "Burning a Pole". It hurt like heck. Though it never happened to me, it did happen to my boss once, and to my grandfather before me. It still occasionally happens to power company linemen. Oh, and by the way Kev, "Can't we all just get along", and enjoy the conversations here, and our professions. I hope you find joy in your work (or hobby), anyway! OldPoleBurner
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