Maybe LEW will know what I saw- On eBay just recently, a switch key. NYCRR stamped on one side. But what it had marked on the other side, is a mystery for me. It was "C.T." Any idea what this meant? Boxcab E50
Central Terminal? I don't know. The owner's initials? There were no divisions with those initials that I know of. Was there a CT tower? I don't know much about anything outside of NY state.
Box, I don't know what CT would stand for. The NYC key that was used between Elk. and Toledo was long and narrow and chrome plated. There may have been different keys for different sections of the NYC proper. Of course we had a B4 key and also an MC key used between Niles and Benton Harbor, Michigan.Although the two keys were similar the B4 key would not unlock an MC lock but a MC lock would unlock a B4 lock. After PC all locks were changed to PC. In cold weather like freezing rain many of the train men would turn the key side of the lock down. Although there was a cover over the key opening rain could get in the lock and freeze and have to be thawed out with a fusee.With the key opening down this prevented this in most cases. At a later date they,middle 70's early 80's,came out with a tamper proof lock. It did what it was supposed to except it too would freeze in the rain. When the brakeman tried to thaw it out there was some part that was made of plastic and it melted.Now you was stuck,you couldn't unlock it and you couldn't break the lock.They had to send some- one with bolt cutters. When I find my keys I will check the NYC one. LEW
Box, I found my keys.On the previous post it should read(an MC _key__would unlock a B4 lock).I have 2 NYC keys. The chrome one and a bronze one.May have used the bronze one west of Elk..It has the letters H T on the flip side,have not a clue what they mean . LEW
Hmmm. Now I am wondering what "HT" means? Found that eBay listing again. It has pictures. One shows the NYCRR. The other shows the "C.T." http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4129&item=6550721461 My knowledge of things NYCS, is quite limited. Boxcab E50
Apparently ours is, too. I have a couple of UP switch keys and that's all they have on them "UP" and "adlake," the manufacturer.
I'm familiar with some letttering susd by various railroads. Such as "S" meaning Switch Key. "C" meaning Car Department, "RT" meaning Rip Track. "BCC" for Baggage Car Cellar. "DCC" for Dining Car Cellar. "SD" for Stores Department. "WS" for Water Service. "TH" for Tool House. "MC" for Mail Car. "SIG" for Signal Department. And so forth. But TH, and this CT have be baffled. as are some of the older head RR men I have asked. Perhaps "CT" means Confuse TrainBoarders? Boxcab E50
