Erik_MagThe author who got the visit from the FBI was Cleve Cartmill for his 1944 short story, which wasn't that good.
I was sure Cleve Cartmill was a pen name. I was apparently wrong.
Read the reference page I provided for Blowups Happen - it contains the chronology (written in 1940, published in 1941)
Elevating.
For Mr. Mining Man.
Thank You.
Shaft Signals Universal or Exceutive in North America) Bells or buzzers but called Bells
1 Bell - Up if stopped, or Stop if in motion
2 Bells- Down
3 Bells- Cage door open, ( men or material being loaded or unloaded)
4 Bells- Blasting signal
5 Bells- Release of cage or skip to Hoistman.. usually to park it, not in use
9 Bells- Emergency
These are standardized across North America
But!... Each individual Mine has its own designation for each level example- 1440 Level is designed 2-5
So here's a run starting from surface going to the 1440 Level
Cagetender rings 3 Bells Hoistman answered back with 3 in acknowledgment ( the cage is locked and cannot move). The cagetender opens the doors, men or material enter.
Everyone on, doors secured so we are ready to go.
Cagetender rings 2-5 as destination 1440 level
Hoistman rings back 2-5 in acknowledgement
If correct Cagetender rings 2 Bells for Down
Hoistman acknowledges with 2 Bells for Down
And away we go
We go fast and after a couple of minutes the Hoistman slows down as his marker approaches the 1440 Level on his huge circular dial with markings.
Amazingky these guys can put a cage on an arrived level to within an eight of an inch even 2 miles down.
The cagetender Rings 1 Bell. 1 Bell acknowledged by Hoistman All Stop
But!... the ropes ( cables) are stretched and there is a little bounce and the cagetender waits for the bounce to settle to imperceptible before ringing 3 Bells, doors opening. Hoistman rings back 3 Bells in acknowledgement.
These guys go real fast with their signals so I can see where it sounds like code.
Inclined shafts in Hard Rock are rare in Canada. We like it straight up!
More often found in Coal and Potash Mines. That's just cuttin'cheese these days anyway.
One other interesting thing. Absolutely no talking to the Hoistman in his perch when working. It's posted, its the Law. The Hoistman cannot be distracted or make an error even once. Everyone knows this.
That bell/buzzer system sounds very similar to the air communication line once found on passenger trains.
And what a high-quality photo. You can really see all the details of that intricate machinery.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Just found this, CN speeder safety training video from 1985:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9F1L3FETas
One of the "actors" was and still is an accomplished photographer:
http://www.railpictures.ca/author/poshell
SD70DudeAnd what a high-quality photo. You can really see all the details of that intricate machinery.
Virtually all of the photos on Shorpy are amazing - likely large format glass plates, and the images are scanned at high resolution. There's a lot of detailed history in all of them.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
SD70DudeJust found this, CN speeder safety training video from 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9F1L3FETas One of the "actors" was and still is an accomplished photographer: http://www.railpictures.ca/author/poshell
Is there any question of why railroads have stopped using 'Track Car Lineups' as the method of operation for non-train on track operations?
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
NDG-- Holeeeee Mackinaw.. that's a whole PowerPoint presentation I can do, ready made, for my 1st Year students!
Absolutely fanatastic Sir!
The Engineers that design hoisting systems are incredible people with special gifts of mind.
Shaft Crews ( always a crew of 5, including the Hoistman) work together for life. It's a special job, demanding mental and physical abilities, (and bravery), a touch above your regular skilled blue collar guy. They would be the Navy Seals of Mining.
They even have competitions across the country, much like Firefighters do. In the modern era it's been my keen observation that the best Hoistman are Women. When I worked for St. Andrews, two gold mines in Ontario, Lucy, one of our Hoistman, was hands down the best Hoistman I ever encountered anywhere. She was from Quebec, rural Quebec right out of a book, and perhaps the most intensely focused and precise individual I have known. Also I have seen photos of the Canada Talc Mine in Tweed, Ontario that had not one but two female Hoistman in the 1890's. They looked like Annie Oakley.
Once a year a Geologist is required to ride with the Shaftman on top of the cage from surface to the bottom, past the loading pocket and down where the Big pumps are. The cage travels very very slowly and could take all day in a deeper mine. The Geologists role is to check geological structure, faults and joint openings and the general 'health' of the Shaft host rock. Years of blasting ( sending shock waves through solid rock) and new mine openings for stopes and development work also create an ever changing dynamic throughout.
I did this once only in 34 years and I was 25 or 26 so still naive enough to do it. Kept dodging that bullet for the rest of my career. I get the willies in my chair just typing this up thinking about it. A mile and half down is one heck of a lot of empty vertical space between up and down.
Thanks again NDG. It is a testament to man's skill and intelligence.
Another story from that site, the great Cranbrook Elephant Hunt of 1926:
https://basininstitute.org/exhibit-elephant/1.html
I've never liked heights, or depths for that matter. Just something about being trapped in a tunnel gives me the willies. Probably a good thing that I don't work through any long tunnels, our high bridges are bad enough!
Off topic?
Marilyn Monroe in Jasper, with some railroad shots:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxLhKIEAPg&t=617s
Thanks Again for more interesting information. Great old images on How it was done back when.
Library of Congress version of the Shorpy photo NDG posted a link to.
The legendary Calumet and Hecla Mine .. Copper mine in the Upaper Penisula, Michigan
Above from Mike. Also this! Boom Copper!
That name "Keweenaw" triggered a memory!
Several years back I read an article in (I believe) "Railfan and Railroad" magazine about a preserved steam railroad in that area. So, I went looking, and here it is!
www.houghtonhistory.org/railroad.html
For more of the story of the Keweenaw mining railroads, there's this...
https://www.nps.gov/kewe/learn/photosmultimedia/railways-of-the-keweenaw.htm
And for a surviving locomotive, look here...
https://www.midcontinent.org/equipment-roster/steam-locomotives/copper-range-29/
Have fun!
FYI.
A 2-8-0 is nifty, but why not a far more significant engine?
https://www.railpictures.net/showimage.php?id=292137&key=2554481
These had an extensive workup in Trains Magazine a couple of decades ago ... probably more like half a century, as the years keep slipping.
Thank You
NDGKinder Morgan Oil Loading Facility.
I humbly submit that your map is the pipeline terminal facility -- even the Keyera facility to the immediate north has only marginal rail access.
The thing I think you're looking for is north of Rt. 16 and a little west, adjacent to the Alberta Diluent Terminal, where Kinder Morgan and Keyera set up a joint rail loading facility about 5 years ago. Note that it is easily accessible to both CN and CP.
Overmod NDG Kinder Morgan Oil Loading Facility. I humbly submit that your map is the pipeline terminal facility -- even the Keyera facility to the immediate north has only marginal rail access. The thing I think you're looking for is north of Rt. 16 and a little west, adjacent to the Alberta Diluent Terminal, where Kinder Morgan and Keyera set up a joint rail loading facility about 5 years ago. Note that it is easily accessible to both CN and CP.
NDG Kinder Morgan Oil Loading Facility.
NDG has it right, the big loop of track just west of 17 St is the Kinder Morgan Rail Terminal. CN's Camrose Sub and CP's Scotford (formerly Willingdon) Sub cross at a diamond immediately northwest of the terminal, this location is known as East Edmonton Jct. CN has better access to this terminal, our trains can head in and head out to and from the mainline, while CP's trains all come from the south and must back in and back out.
The Alberta Diluent Terminal is older than Kinder Morgan's oil terminal, and that site used to be a Celanese Canada plant which manufactured fibre for cigarette filters, among other things.
I spent much of my formative railfanning years in this area, due to the prescence of regular traffic on both CN and CP, which has only grown in recent years along with Alberta's petrochemical industry.
Keyera and Shell both have much larger facilites north of Fort Saskatchewan, AB. Shell's refinery in particular is quite large and has its own switchers in addition to direct service from both CN and CP.
Also, the AltaSteel plant immediately southwest of Kinder Morgan is where many steam locomotives were scrapped during the years of dieselization. This is where the fledgling Rocky Mountain branch of the Canadian Rail Historical Association managed to save Northern Alberta 2-8-0 #73 from scrap, and over the years that little group and one engine grew into today's Alberta Railway Museum.
The bus is interesting, but it can't hold a candle to that PCC on the "cool" scale!
NDGFYI. TTC Electric Bus. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ttc-s-first-fully-electric-bus-now-in-service-in-the-city-1.4448868 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpTBM1lH_Bs And. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U3X2k5cb8A Thank You.
Looked like the bus was carrying signals for a following section!
As opposed to a "derailment", if the trolley comes off the overhead wire, is that a "dewirement"?
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Paul of CovingtonAs opposed to a "derailment", if the trolley comes off the overhead wire, is that a "dewirement"?
I believe that is exactly what it is!
Overmod Paul of Covington As opposed to a "derailment", if the trolley comes off the overhead wire, is that a "dewirement"? I believe that is exactly what it is!
Paul of Covington As opposed to a "derailment", if the trolley comes off the overhead wire, is that a "dewirement"?
BaltACDLooked like the bus was carrying signals for a following section!
Used his right turn signal to go left. It's training, I guess.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
CSSHEGEWISCH And that's why retrievers were invented. They would keep the pole from flailing around and damaging the overhead after a dewirement.
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