03-13-2013, 07:34 PM
I think it was like a small version of an RPO pickup. There would be 2 forks -- high and low. The high one for the loco crew, the lower one for the caboose.
Speculates: the automatic one was probably used in busier locations where the operator couldn't stand around while the train went past.
The fork seems a bit later than the hoop (bamboo stick with a circle at the end). The train crew would pot their arm through the loop, either bamboo or twine, and pick it up. The message would be detached from the hoop and the hoop dropped somewhere down the line for the operator to fetch. If the fork was used, only the loop of twine and the message would be picked up.
Speculates: the automatic one was probably used in busier locations where the operator couldn't stand around while the train went past.
The fork seems a bit later than the hoop (bamboo stick with a circle at the end). The train crew would pot their arm through the loop, either bamboo or twine, and pick it up. The message would be detached from the hoop and the hoop dropped somewhere down the line for the operator to fetch. If the fork was used, only the loop of twine and the message would be picked up.
David
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.
Moderato ma non troppo
Perth & Exeter Railway Company
Esquesing & Chinguacousy Radial Railway
In model railroading, there are between six and two hundred ways of performing a given task.
Most modellers can get two of them to work.