I don't know how many times I saw it from the same vantage point. I laughed when they showed the operator moving the lever, a signal or locking lever, making it look easy as pie. It was a bit of hustling to pull off the signals,unlocking and locking them each time,wait till they cleared the switch for the next move, then put your back into the switch lever,pull more locks and signal levers, then put the railroad back to "normal".
The whole tower would shake when pulling switches and don't talk about Armstrong Interlockings in winter with snow and ice. You learned to start pulling but still be able to let go of the lever, as if it sprung back due to the rods or bellcranks getting hung up you'd go right on your bum. Then fill out the train sheet, ring the next operator(s) down the line, the next operator up the line,report arrival and departure to the train dispatcher...I loved it.
Good find Glenn!!!!
W.L Avis
Steam professional since 1974
Former Block Operator- PRSL
