On a November day back in 2009, Don and I decided it would be a novel exercise to ride to many of the railroad crossings in the local area. The railroad goes through three counties — an enjoyable day ride and still be home in time for dinner. So we said we’d make plans after the holidays. We just didn’t know that it would be over *three years* after the holidays. Hence, this post of September 2013.
At each crossing, Don schooled me in some detail related to railroad operations.
The little sign on the pole is a staple of every crossing in the USA. It is the “mile marker” which contains contact info on how to reach a RR official in case of a problem with the crossing equipment or a train emergency.
Two stories about these large signal devices:
1. During the Squashapenny Photo Shoot, Don was explaining to Marilee how the signal worked. Marilee reached up to feel the size of the large gearbox on the side of the tall signal. At that very moment, a train some half mile away triggered the signal. DING, DING, DING and the whurring and buzzing of the machinery begins. Marilee jumped back from the signal and exclaimed, “Oh, no! Did I do that?”
2. On this Tri-County tour, Don was pointing out some detail on the signal and I was readying my camera for a picture. Just then, a train is seen coming around the bend in the distance. Don turns his back on the signal as the machinery begins to lower the arm to block the “non-traffic” on this vacant back road. As I bring my camera up to aim, I see the arm of the signal come within inches of Don’s helmet. He must have sensed it was nearing and slipped clear of it at the last second.
Each section of rail contains information on the “who, where, & when” it was manufactured. This rail was built by the Bethlahem Steel Corporation (BSC), Steelton, PA in 1953. You may also notice in the photo at the left edge that there is a ridge running the height of the rail. On top of the rail it is flat. That is a weld that effectively eliminates the traditional “clickity-clack” of the track. Removal of that little bump prolongs the life of the equipment by reducing the impact vibration on all parts that ride the rails. (Sidings are another story; not much attention given to those short runs.)
So I’m down there taking this photo of letters on the rails and I hear this sort of buzzing sound. I look over at Don and he says quite calmly, “There’s a train comin’.” Yet, I could not see it nor hear the engine. As big and as loud as freight trains are, you wouldn’t believe that one could “sneak up” on you. But they do. And we moved a safe distance from the track where I snapped the next picture.
Not seen in this photo are the two large railroad spikes tucked into my saddle bag. I will polish them and turn them into paper weights or tent stakes. (I haven’t decided which yet.)
These fellows were NOT singing “I’ve been workin’ on the railroad….” but their words were colorful nonetheless (just not printable for my website).
They were working on a siding owned by the nearby industrial plant.
Six crossings, three counties, and one fearless trike-ridin’ railroad tour master. Thanks, Don, for the fun ride.
Now, gentle readers & riders, if you live in the general area of Spotsylvania, Virginia, break out the paper county maps and find your way to these installations of industrial handiwork — railroad crossings:
- Hamilton
- Summit
- Claiborne
- Guinea
- Woodford
- Milford
