I've seen many pictures of interlocking towers featuring complex mechanical rods running along the ground outside, some a considerable distance.
During winter months what was the standard procedure for keeping these mechanisms snow and ice free? Is that part of the standard duties of the tower attendant, or was there some designated specialist that took care of this?
Convicted OneI've seen many pictures of interlocking towers featuring complex mechanical rods running along the ground outside, some a considerable distance. During winter months what was the standard procedure for keeping these mechanisms snow and ice free? Is that part of the standard duties of the tower attendant, or was there some designated specialist that took care of this?
'In the day' Signal Maintainers had that individual interlocking as their sole responsibility - they didn't have 50 - 100 mile territories like they do today.
In concert with the local track gang, 'smudge pots' would be set out to keep things that move warm and ice free, with the smudge pots being refilled with fuel and relit as necessary.
The tower Operator had a contact number for the Maintainer who generally lived very close to the tower and could respoond in minutes when problems happened.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Would track people sweep out the switches?
MidlandMikeWould track people sweep out the switches?
When necessary - if it was predicted as a 'heavy' storm the trackman would stay at the tower and do sweeping as necessary.
'Back in the day' employees lived very close to the on duty point of their craft. You did not have 'regular' employees commuting 30 to 50 miles one way to get to the work place as is common these days.
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