Line-and-Shaft vs. Electric Motors

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

If any of you are ever in Cincinnati, be sure to pay a visit to the Museum Center (in Union Station, of course!).  On the Cincinnati history side, they have (or had the last time I was there) an operating machine shop working off the "line and shaft".  They had a lathe, a drill press, a milling machine among others.  It was really neat for a gearhead to observe the workings of these older machines.  

While it isn't anywhere near on the scale of the Orbisonia shops or East End, it's still fascinating.

John Samples

---- nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org wrote: 

> Since we are now blessed with "East End Shop" representation on the List, perhaps someone has information on the following topoc.

> 

> I've been wondering when Roanoke Machine Works/East End Shops made the transition from "line-and-shaft" power to electric motor power for the operation of its machinery.

> 

> By "line-and-shaft" I mean the old system of powering machinery in the days before electric motors.  In the line-and-shaft method, power is distributed through a building from a stationary steam engine through a system of rotating rods, gears and flywheels suspended from the roof trusses.  Individual machines are connected to this constantly rotating system by a leather belt, which belt may be engaged or disengaged from a flywheel on the line-and-shaft by use of a hand clutch lever.  Line-and-shaft systems were maintained by a craft called "millwrights."

> 

> Can you imagine trying to bore a large diameter hole or run a milling machine using this old system?

> 

> The only line-and-shaft I know of that's still in existence is in the old East Broad Top RR shop at Orbisonia, Pa., but, of course, it hasn't operated in years.

> 

> I've always nwondered about when the transition to electric motors for shop machinery took place, as my own great-grandfather was a machinist at Roanoke Machine Works from about 1882 to 1934.

> 

> Has anyone seen any documentation on this major change in the way of doing things?

> 

> -- abram burnett