Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Aluminum Railroad Crossing Sign

Real nice crossing sign from the MB Line given to me by a Waterville native a few years back.  He acquired it back in the late 1970's and had been hanging in his family's barn. 




Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Glass Bead Crossing Sign

This gem was giving to me by a lady that lives near Withrow.  She had told me that her late dad, a railroad buff, had obtained it years ago possibly from the MB Line.  This could not be confirmed, but a great piece of railroad memorabilia nonetheless.  This sign is made out of thick steel and very heavy.  And only one glass bead is missing.  


Picture with camera flash off




Picture with camera flash on



Monday, April 28, 2014

Between Withrow and Touhey

I rode the old abandoned rail line grade between the Dutch Henry Draw (bridge #41), eastward to RD A NE a total of 3 miles.  The route ended 1 mile south of Touhey.  Pictures taken April 25, 2014.  Really fun little ride on the quad.  The Maxxis Bighorn Tires eat the sagebrush.  I had permission from all landowners to access this area.



Map of route.



Looking west across the Dutch Henry Draw where bridge #41 once crossed.




Looking east and standing on the east bridge approach embankment at Dutch Henry.






















Looking eastward towards RD A NE.



Found this old steel flanger sign still on the post next to one of the grade crossings out there.  Railroads switched to aluminum signs in the late 1940's and early 50's.



Crossing Sign

Found these signs in a cattle pasture between Alstown and Douglas.  The owner of the property said I could have this set, along with another set that my brother has.  These two signs belonged on the same post.  The post was too long to deal with so I cut it as you can see here.  The post was pretty rotten on the bottom anyhow.  The landowner was pretty sure they came from Alstown.  



This glass bead design was developed by the 3M Corporation in the 1930's


Monday, April 7, 2014

Waterville Railway Co. Steam Locomotive #949

WRY Steam Locomotive #949 parked in front of the engine house.


Photo credit to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society


Tuesday, April 1, 2014