October 2, 2008 (Thursday) Proto Photo topic

[3rdrail]

We are back in Montreal on August 5, 1956.

Found Montreal Street Railway No. 274 in the St. Denis barn. We had asked for the oldest trolley to charter and were disappointed we didn't get 274. She was sure in fine shape back then.


Here's a front view of the car we did charter, MTC 1333. Cars running within the city did not have headlights, but had a string of household type light bulbs under the canopy below the front windows, illuminating the dash.


MTC 1333 at Cartierville station on a suburban line.


Next week, still more Montreal.

[up1950s]

Some freight at the Hillburn Yard just north of Suffern taken weeks ago . Soy Beans anyone .

[Bob Bufkin]

Spent some time around Seabrook MARC commuter station sunday:


Nice to still see color position lights.












Some cat photos.

[up1950s]

Geez look how twisted those rails are in next to the tracks . What are those baffles or plates that parallel the ties ? Anti wind vortex blockers , garbage catchers , low hanging gear smackers to somehow save the day before hitting a switch ?

[Chris333]

They look like old drag detectors, but in a modern day they may do something else.

[Mark5]

Hey Bob,

Did ya notice the NYC TOFC trailer just south of the SEABROOK station (west side)?

Mark

[Bob Bufkin]

Nope, didn't see it.  Next time over I'll check it out.
Bob

[DKS]

What are those baffles or plates that parallel the ties ? Anti wind vortex blockers , garbage catchers , low hanging gear smackers to somehow save the day before hitting a switch ?

IIRC, they are indeed used to knock off any loose hardware dangling under the cars.

[Lenny53]

[RockGp40]

Hurlock Days was yesterday in Hurlock, Md. I had the pleasure of being the conductor on the train for the day. This is yours truly on the back of two ex-N&W coaches as we shove them to the station in Hurlock. MDDE CF7 #2628 provided the power for the day.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What are those baffles or plates that parallel the ties ? Anti wind vortex blockers , garbage catchers , low hanging gear smackers to somehow save the day before hitting a switch ?

IIRC, they are indeed used to knock off any loose hardware dangling under the cars.

I'm 99% sure those are DEDs, dragging equipment detectors. They detect if anything is dragging from a car, and if so alert the crews via radio.

[DKS]

What are those baffles or plates that parallel the ties ? Anti wind vortex blockers , garbage catchers , low hanging gear smackers to somehow save the day before hitting a switch ?

IIRC, they are indeed used to knock off any loose hardware dangling under the cars.

I'm 99% sure those are DEDs, dragging equipment detectors. They detect if anything is dragging from a car, and if so alert the crews via radio.

I stand corrected. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/operation/inteletrack/inteletrack3.html

[Chris333]

Conrail had a set of detectors where I lived as a kid. They would check for hot boxes as well and give a automated report over the radio once the train passes. I know part of the report was the total number of axles.
http://www.baylug.org/zonker/railfan/detectors.html

[Bob Bufkin]

I'm not sure what those are myself.  Back in the PC/Conrail days there used to be a high/wide, dragging detector set up near Long Bridge (bridge across the Potomac River) in D.C.  If anything was not right, the operator at Virginia Ave Tower (R.O.) would get a verbal message with wheel count.  There was also one located near Anacosta Tower for Southbound freights.  The freight tunnel was (and still is) the reason for these detectors.  I remember many times setting in the tower getting messages stating something was too high to go thru the tunnel.  Nine times out of ten, the message was in error but the tower operator would have to count wheel as the train went by and double check to let the train crew know if anything was wrong.  I suppose CSX still has something like this today to check the tunnel clearance.

[wm3798]

Nice shot, Brian... I would have been up there, but I was in a similar position hanging from a ladder on the side of my house.
Come to think of it, the red color I'm using almost matches those coaches!

Lee