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Satellite, the tower has been moved to get it away from the tracks.)
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Tony Marre shared
[ That is probably the depot in the background given the bay window for the agent.]
Richard McGill: Our gas station was on the other side of the tracks across from the tower... When a train would go through and it had a "Hot Box"(flames shooting out of the bearing boxes) on our side we would go over and report it to the guy working in the tower... I used to enjoy going up in the tower at night when things were slow, it had a fantastic view all the way down main street... We used to put coins on the track and then hope that a slow freight was coming through so we could find the flattened coins... Passenger trains were usually going at 60 mph, so you could kiss your coins goodbye !!! Great Pic Jim Huber, thanks for the memory!!!
Across from the tower was also the US mail pick up and drop off... A canvas bag was hung on an upper and lower hooks, A crank was provided to raise and reposition the bag at the proper height at 90 degrees of the corresponding mail car pickup... Also there was a back stop made of rail road ties used to stop the thrown off mail bag, now this was all happening between 60 and 70 miles an hour!! More than once I helped the postoffice worker pick up mail off the tracks after the canvas bag broke... The mail would get sucked under the passenger cars and some would get cut up by the RR cars wheels... Talk about "Undelivered Mail"
John Ux: identical to the one in New London |
Jim Bobel
posted a 1982 photo when it was still in its original position and train orders are being grabbed.
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George Siss III posted
Grafton, Ohio. The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St, Louis ("The Big Four") Railway/New York Central Railroad switch tower. Built in 1890. Located about 75 yards east of North Main Street (Ohio Route 57), perpendicular to Cleveland Street, by the CSX Corp railroad tracks. Friday afternoon, November 5, 2021.
Dan Davidson: Moved from it's original location at the SR57 crossing.
Tom Davidson: I believe the supports are reused rail.
Thomas Wentzel shared |
The B&O was always just single tracked.
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| 1979 Grafton Quadrangle @ 1:24,000 |
I'm a little surprised that Conrail and CSX has kept the double track in the Big Four route. The two connections have been removed.
7 of the 18 photos
posted by Moses Zacharewicz with the comment: "Today [May 4, 2024] was the B&O Railroad Historical Society mini convention in Grafton OH. It is a true pleasure to hear in person the stories of the railroad, some which have been passed down for generations. I brought a few models along, including the B&O (CV&T) station in Cleveland, and a couple attendees told me stories how they used to work in the actual building."
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1 of 15 photos posted by Daniel Frizzi
The BORRHS Mini Con was a great success, and was fortunate to be able to be there on a rainy Saturday. Some of the sites we toured are shown with several passing trains. When I departed Grafton, I took the path less traveled (unless you are a RR buff) to Lester and Lodi. The Lodi viaduct over the Black River was more accessible this trip as the gate was open, so I took advantage for some closer shots. Enjoy!
Daniel Frizzi shared |
Coal & Steel Railroad Photography
posted six photos with the comment: "Inside of the New York central tower At Grafton Ohio which used to control the diamond between the NYC Main Line and B&O Branch line. which the B&O position light signal still guard approaches but at the diamond they have been replaced with Conrail try lights signals."
Josh Cohen
shared |
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Train orders, Armstrong levers and passing Train through the window just think how many operators back in the day saw this same scene play out thousands of times. |
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What a beautiful scene with the Christmas tree all lit up outside from inside the tower.
Duane Plas: The switch board was lost after the tower was closed. A few years back, during an episode of American Pickers, someone noticed the board in the background. Through a series of events the board was tracked down and replaced to its original location after nearly 40 years. https://chroniclet.com/.../we-cant-put-a-price-on.../ |
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John Springer: So much to see in this picture! The towers were never insulated very well or at all. You can see the electric heater under the desk, my dad used one not like this one at Woodlawn on the Central. That looks like first generation radio to talk to the crews. |
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Duane Plas: The photographer is standing about where the tower originally stood. The railroad wanted to raze the tower in the 90s, but the people of grafton pulled their money and paid to have the tower persevered and moved to its current location. The tower was moved around 1999 or early 2000s. |
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One of the approaches
James McKee Ridgway Jr.: Fixed Signal (at Approach). Just a reminder of Interlocking ahead… |
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