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Canadian Railroads > Clocks on steam locomotives was the question.Date: 01/21/25 21:50 Clocks on steam locomotives was the question. Author: moonliter Earlier this week on the Steam Railroading board there was a posting about the use of clocks on steam locomotives, one photo plus two pages of replies. I thought why? Crews were required to carry a railroad grade pocket watches; rule which became more stringent after every major wreck. I did not comment as I know nothing about the topic but one of the comment by PHall piqued my interest. He had asked, "Would a clock be able to handle the heat and vibration of a steam locomotive backhead?"
Over the past 50 years I have worked and ridden the cabs of a number of steam locomotives, mostly at relatively slow speeds (30-35 mph) but on a few occasions track speeds of 50-60 mph, always on good track. The ride was generally good to excellent so I don't think vibration would be a problem for a sturdy clock built for the purpose. As for the heat from the backhead that would not been a problem as the gauges are mounted on steel plates that are attached to brackets the are attached to studs protruding from the backhead. This results in a few inches between the insulated backhead and the mounting plate where air can freely flow so I don't think heat would be a factor. Again this is anecdotal on my part.as I never was on a locomotive with a working clock. Here is what I do know; Ottawa streetcars were unique for having clocks. Heat would not have been a problem nor was speed. The line out to Britannia was more of an interurban lines so speed of 50 mph or higher could be reached. The first electric clocks first appeared in Ottawa Electric Railway streetcars on August 11, 1904. Their time was affected by cuts in power (like when the trolley pole leaves the line for some reason) In 1910 these clocks were replace by 8-day mechanical time pieces manufactured by the Ansonia Clock Co. of New York. The clocks were centered high in the middle of the passenger side of the bulkhead that separated the motorman and the front entrance from the rest of the car. Unfortunately these clocks fell victim to the war effort; on June 1st, 1944 the OER announced new clocks, parts and material could not be purchased. In January 1947 the old clocks as well as some new ones were re installed in the cars but 7 years later the Ottawa Transportation Commission (the new owner of the OER) removed the clocks as an economy measure. This happened on December 7th, 1953. Photo 1: Face of a Smith Clock Co 8-Day timepiece. This is one of the new replacement clocks the OER purchased from England. The Ansconia Clock Co. had been sold the the Russians in 1929. Photo 2: The lifts up to access the winding stem. This clock belonged to car No.841 built by the Ottawa Car Co. in 1926. Scrapped in 1959. Photo 3: OTC Car No.841 going around the Britannia Loop. The CPR Carleton Place sub is in the background. Gerry Gaugl Ottawa ON ![]() ![]() ![]() |