Question for train aficionados

[reible]

I'm not one of you but I figured maybe some one here could answer a question I have about buildings associated with the steam train era.

This started out with me looking at water towers for inspiration as to a design to hold a rain barrel. But right away I get side tracked or is that put on a siding... Anyway, there seems to be an interesting looking building between the two trains, right near the switch, the tall one on stilts. I'm looking for what that building might be called?

Photo is at:
http://www.pbase.com/image/35071874

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Ed

[robinson46176]

Here they called them "switching towers". The operator sat up there with big levers and switched the tracks for routing.

[a1gutterman]

I'm not one of you but I figured maybe some one here could answer a question I have about buildings associated with the steam train era.

This started out with me looking at water towers for inspiration as to a design to hold a rain barrel. But right away I get side tracked or is that put on a siding... Anyway, there seems to be an interesting looking building between the two trains, right near the switch, the tall one on stilts. I'm looking for what that building might be called?

Photo is at:
http://www.pbase.com/image/35071874

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

EdHi Ed,
Sounds like the farmers description is reasonable. I do knot have anything to add, but the building seems to have a stove pipe coming out of it, so at least the occupant could keep warm :D , or is that something else entirely? Francis?

[robinson46176]

Hi Ed,
Sounds like the farmers description is reasonable. I do knot have anything to add, but the building seems to have a stove pipe coming out of it, so at least the occupant could keep warm :D , or is that something else entirely? Francis?



At -20° with howling winds that would be a giant Popsicle instead of a switching tower. They had stoves in them. I never saw one of the stoves in person but I was told that it was the same little cast-iron coal stoves like they used in some train cars and especially the caboose to keep warm. They also used them for making coffee and light cooking. I believe that they also used the same little stoves in some small stations and repair shacks. There were a number of different kinds but this one was kind of typical.
7693

[kameljoe21]

Well I dont know anything about trains but here are my thoughts
if you look really good
you'll see that the building has 4 large windows
the stack is for a stove, with red brick as the firewall
the building is aprox 4feet wide 6 feet tall to the peak
sits approx 10 feet to the base of the building so over all hight is around 16 feet
on the lower left of the stilts there appers to be some type of lever of some sorts, to gain access to the building im assuming one of the 2 would be logical rope access or some type of latter on the inside of the front stilt
the place is located at Fourth Freedom as per the building on the right
i have contacted the person who took the photo but unlikly will here back from him due to him not being active for a few yrs

[JPG40504]

At -20° with howling winds that would be a giant Popsicle instead of a switching tower. They had stoves in them. I never saw one of the stoves in person but I was told that it was the same little cast-iron coal stoves like they used in some train cars and especially the caboose to keep warm. They also used them for making coffee and light cooking. I believe that they also used the same little stoves in some small stations and repair shacks. There were a number of different kinds but this one was kind of typical.
7693

Since it appears to be a snow blower parked in the middle, that stove was necessary!

[reible]

Here they called them "switching towers". The operator sat up there with big levers and switched the tracks for routing.

Thank you!

Looks like there were few standardized features for these. Well it was fun seeing what I could find picture of anyway. Turns out the one I like best was the one I found first.

Ed

[woodburner]

Yep, the name of the structure is called an "elevated gate tower." You can purchase models of them from various model train dealers.