Russ and I planted it there for a photo op before you got to the museum! It's really one of Russ' larger drawings! On heavy gauge paper too! Good thing he had his van. It was a long piece. Easy to lift though! (Jus' teasin'!)
That was outside the yard wasn't it? Either on the MN track or the Housatonic's? I don't remember if it was on the museum property. I remember you pointing it out to me though.
I don't remember if it was on museum property or not but it was pretty near the end of the yard where we saw those RailBox boxcars. If you look at the picture again, there is a slab of concrete directly behind the post which was probably used to support a signal. Russ
I will be at the museum this Wednesday. If I get a chance I will take a closer look. If it is inside the fence, it is on DRM property
Peirce, I think it was between the MNRR tracks and the Housatonic tracks. I'm sure of that because of the weeds grown up between the ties in the background , and the MNRR tracks being clean. It's almost "new" looking too, which makes me wonder even more about it! I would think it was an old New Haven one being it would be on the engineer's side, but maybe it was one of several since not every train could see it. Guess I've seen them on both sides of tracks anyway. Makes more sense. The "first" grade crossing is closer to the Housatonic tracks though. The MNRR crossing is a few feet further along. (They do have one don't they? I thought we heard them blowing when one of the trains left). Hmmmmm. Questions, questions. There's only one, but it's a working whistle post. Who previously owned the Housatonic tracks? The New Haven? If you told me I have forgotten. By the way, I can still feel myself walking around, riding the train and riding the turntable! It made a great impression on me. Must have been the good company too! By the way, I have a new Russ drawing hanging over my layout and it's next to my "Tower of Lights" he did! My room is becoming an art gallery! Hey........charge admission........ten bucks a head..........OK!!!!!!!!!!!!
From your description it sound like that "W" is for the Housatonic aproach to the White Street grade crossing. They not only have to whistle, but also come to a full stop so a crew member can go across the street to the control panel and manually activate the crossing gate. The Housatonic started out as a private road, but was absorbed into the NH and became its Berkshire line. After MH was merged into Penn Central, PC sold off all their short-line branches and the Housatonic went back into private ownership.
Peirce, was that the line that went up to North Adams, MA? If so, I went over it (literally) several times. The Boston & Albany line north out of Pittsfield, MA went up and over that NH line somewhere around Adams or North Adams, after it had run parallel with the NH for a mile or so. Do either of those two lines still exist in that area? [ 25. September 2002, 12:45: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Here are some of the pics that came from Johnny's camera. Now, for all you folk into photography, here is the same shot that I posted of me, Johnny and Peirce. It was taken at a different angle but at the same time. You can see how different angles/film give you two different pics: Here is a great shot of the Roger Williams trainset. I was real excited to see this!: Ok, I posted the pic of Johnny on the turntable so here is the one he caught of myself. (Notice around my neck that I can't decide between film or digital- LOL)
Russ, the pictures came out cool! Thanks! I'm glad you posted your picture too! Now I can yell, "SCOOBY DOO! WHERE ARE YOU???" Sorry. I just had to do that! Love ya like a brother, Russ! LOL!
I guess that I should have referenced your "Burma Shave" post BEFORE I went to Danbury...Oh well (snicker) I can live with being called Shaggy....my wife calls me worse on a good day!!!!!! LOL Russ
A copy of the composit picture I posted earlier is now on a bulletin board at the DRM. It is along the bottom of the board nearly into the lower, right corner.
Here is a bit more detail on that whistle sign. This shot was from a different angle and takes in a wider view. The first two tracks to the left of the "W" are the Housatonic RR. Of those, the one on the right, or nearest the "W" is the one usually used. Therefore, the "W" is on the engineer's side when the train is moving in the direction we are facing. The tracks to the right of the "W" in this view lead to a small ladder yard consisting of three or four stub tracks. On the extreme left, where the ground throw is, and beyond, are the Metro North tracks. Now, here is a close-up, which will give you a better idea of its age.
Wow Peirce! What's really wild about that is that I didn't even realize while on the Railyard Local, that we had left the confines of the fenced in area. I guess that I was having too much fun! Then, along came the whistle post and I was like "Woooo!" Anyway, thanks for the detailed info and I also think that it is cool to be seen on the bulletin board. I wonder how many folk will gaze at that picture this week alone. Johnny, we are "big time" now! Russ
WOW! I've only had my picture posted on the Post Office wall before! And a couple of police stations! OK......more than a couple. In different States. And countries........... Thanks Peirce! That was very nice! I hope we don't frighten little children! I can't wait to bring a friend up and say, "Hey......look at that photo! That guy looks like me"! Oh, what's the track on the extreme right? Russ, you and I are famous. WE BAD! WE BAD! [ 26. September 2002, 21:44: Message edited by: Johnny Trains ]
The track on the extreme right is a lead to a siding. Here is a view the other direction. The side tracks are now on the left. By the time you get to where the boxcars are spotted, there are three or four stub tracks. [ 27. September 2002, 01:23: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Johnny, I think that they put our mugs up there to warn everyone not to let us on the train anymore, especially since we held it up talking to the engineer! -LOL Russ
I've never heard the expression, "ladder track" before. That's why I was asking again about the tracks on the right.
