09-16-2011, 07:52 AM
railroader9731 Wrote:I have 2 questions for you all
1 in the late 50s were there and railroad crossing cantilevers? If so what may they have looked like.
A common form of crossing signal was the "wig wag". Do a google image search for many examples. The 1950s was also the end of the crossing tower and associated guard. Many crossings would still have a had a railroad employee out stopping traffic.
Quote:2 freight cars of the 50s would they suffer the same type of weathering as our modern cars do?
Thanks for looking and answering.
There are a few notes above, and also remember that the roofs of cars would be blackened by coal smoke and cinders, or oil smoke. Also, the track would be weathered differently. In many pictures I have seen, track that is frequented by steam locos have oil and other weathering along the outside of each rail. Tracks used by diesels have a single line dribbled down the middle. This is a function of the lubricated parts of a steam loco being "outside" and constantly throwing off oil, as well as friction bearing trucks that were frequently oiled. Contrast with traction motors that hang between the tracks, and roller-bearing trucks that didn't have to be soaked in oil to work.
Andrew