three questions

[NW Mailing List]

Mr. Abbott:  A track chart is a schematic or a simple line drawing.  What
you want is a Right of Way drawing that shows your desired milepost in
relation to a road location that you can find while driving along that road.
The track charts can be ordered from the archives (archives at nwhs.org) .
But, I think you will find that you still need to put your puzzle together
so that you can navigate yourself or someone will have to do the navigation
for you.  The RoW drawings for this line are not available in the Archives
to my knowledge.  I'll have to see if I can figure out where 476 is and
relate it to a highway location for you. 

 

The old photographer's bridge at Blue Ridge is long gone.  It isn't to far
from Webster and the brick yard east of Roanoke.  But, the tree growth along
this area blocks any photograph similar to those taken in the 'golden
twilight' of steam operation.  The brick works are the easiest thing to find
today to get you somewhat close to the summit.  

 

The ropes hanging down over the tracks are 'tell tales' or 'tell tails' that
were hung to the tops of the cars so that a man riding on the top of a car
would be struck by them.  He would then know --- "DUCK"-that a low hanging
structure was just ahead.  Low bridges or tunnel portals were so marked.  

 

Gary Rolih

Cincinnati 

 

 

  _____  

From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 2:47 PM
To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Subject: three questions

 

Several weeks ago, I asked about the location of a Link photograph taken on
the way to Kermit,WV, and I got some information back which was helpful.
 
Subsequent to that, I have figured out that the pgotograph was taken at
milepost 476.  So my question is:
 
1.  What is the easiest way to figure out where that milepost is ( short of
walking the ROW and eyeballing ).  Someone had suggested a track chart, and
there is one in the Archives, but I am confused about the availability of
those documents.  Can I order one?
 
2.  Also, I was watching an old VHS tape last night that contained a number
of shots of the old "photographers briudge" somewhere on the Blue Ridge
grade.  Is the site of the bridge still accessible, and if so, where it it.
 
3.  Lastly, I have also noted pictures of a device that is supported over
the rail bed, and has wires hanging down - like a horizontal comb.  What is
that device supposed to do?
 
Thanks in advance for any and all help on any part of the above.  
-------------------------------------------
John C. Abbott
Wheaton, MD

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