Western Railroad Discussion > Bells, Whistles,Wires and Jointed Rails

I made this near La Junta Colo in late 2019  the Amtrak heading over the long lonely stretch to Trinidad 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/21 20:04 by bakersfielddave.

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the pole line was a must have picture

can anyone who knows about pole lines explain the set up of the wires here 

also   there seems to  be on separate wire on the upper post right side  ?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/21 19:07 by bakersfielddave.

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Dave,

The two porcelain insulators on the bottom crossarm track side carry electricity to the signal boxes. They are normally 440 volts. Perhaps a maintainer can tell you a little more about the other signal/code wires on the pole.

Take care,

Matt

thanks i wonder how many years since these were installed and do they contain telephone circiutry?

I doubt there is any telephone circuitry up there in this day and age. There very well might have been years ago. I remember lineside telephone boxes with crank phones on the B&O. The Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railroad had their phones connected to the signal/battery boxes. Even in the late 90's when I started wandering around ROW's all of that stuff was pretty much obsolete. 
Decades ago this pole lead would have had six or seven crossarms. The majority of crossarms towards the top of the pole would have more than likely been for the Western Union Telegraph Company. The bottom arm (or two), the only ones left  now in 2021, would have been the railroads wires to operate the signals.
I'm just an armchair signal guy so anybody feel free to correct me if any of this info isn't exactly right!
BTW, cool that you are getting pictures of this stuff! Very soon active pole line (and most older signals) will be relegated to history. The Raton Pass line is such a throwback. 

Take care,

Matt 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/21 04:58 by mkancle.