Object Record

Metadata

Object ID

GENL-2004.021.0002a-s

Object Name

Signal, Railroad

Description

Lower Quadrant Train Order Signal or semaphore; it consists of 2 blades or vanes that move from a horizontal position, downward to correct signal position, & are attached to main mast at the top via a main clamp, along w/red & blue glass lenses for light signal; the 2 semaphores work together to perform the signaling task; dependent upon what position the signal arms are in, & which lights are illuminated, the signal translates different commands to the train conductor; the description of the components are as follows (see full descriptions with color photographs in accession file):
a) Main clamp, cast iron, painted black; 2 parts bolted together; parts form circle in center, which clamps around top of mast; 2 shafts extend from either side, which hold the counter balance weights for each semaphore. L: 22" (55.9cm) W: 7" (17.8cm) H: 10 1/4" (26.2cm)
b) Counter balance, cast iron, painted black; large circular shape at one end & small circular shape, with 1/3 cut away at other end; large circle has circular indentation on both sides; smaller end also has deep indentation w/a rib intersecting the circle; large tab extends from surface along edge of circle towards center of counter balance; "T1420A" embossed on one side at center; L: 22 3/4" (57.7cm) W: 5 1/2" (14.0cm) H: 11 1/4" (28.5cm)
c) Counter balance, cast iron, painted black; large circular shape at one end & small circular shape, with 1/3 cut away at other end; large circle has circular indentation on both sides; smaller end also has deep indentation w/a rib intersecting the circle; large tab extends from surface along edge of circle towards center of counter balance; "1246" embossed on large circular end; L: 22 1/4" (56.5cm) W: 5 1/2" (14.0cm) H: 11 1/4" (28.5cm)
d-e) Spectacle, cast iron, painted black; large fan shape w/3 large round holes & 2 smaller irregular-shaped holes; bottom has smaller deeply embossed circular shape w/hole in center & 4 raised ribs radiating from center; adjacent to circular shape is raised tab, next to large raised circle w/smaller pin extending upward; next to this is a square w/6 holes & a raised edge; "1325" embossed on fan shape; square is for mounting vanes; circle w/hole mounts to counter balance & shaft on main clamp; d) fits one side, e) fits other; L: 29 1/4" (74.3cm) W: 6" (15.2cm) H: 22" (55.9cm)
f-k) 6 identical mounting collars, cast iron, painted black; mounts signal lenses into holes in spectacle (d-e); round w/raised interior ring; 3 small holes w/raised edges around outside of ring for mountin; one portion of outside edge is cut flat; "1241" embossed on outside edge;
L: 8" (20.3cm) W: 8 7/8" (20.0cm) H: 1/2" (1.3cm) Interior Diameter: 6" (15.3cm)
l) Lens, round, glass, red, convex shape w/ridge around outer edge; lens has been broken & glued back together; original in Collections building, reproduction purchased & installed at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 1/2" (16.5cm) H: 1 1/8" (2.9cm)
m) Lens, round, glass, red, flat on one side, a series of 3 bevel cuts or Fresnels on front to magnify or diffuse light; outer edge heavily chipped; original in Collections building, reproduction purchased & installed at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 3/8" (16.2cm) H: 1 1/2" (3.8cm)
n) Lens, round, glass, amber or yellow; convex shape w/ridge around outer edge; "Made In USA Corning Glass Works" embossed on outer edge; lens has been broken & glued back together; original in Collections building, reproduction purchased & installed at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 1/2" (16.5cm) H: 1 1/8" (2.9cm)
o) Lens, round, glass, amber or yellow; convex shape w/ridge around outer edge; "CVX Corning PT 2-2-15 Made in USA Corning Glass Works" embossed on back outside edge; original in Collections building, reproduction purchased & installed at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 1/2" (16.5cm) H: 1 1/8" (2.9cm)
p) Lens, round, glass, blue/green; convex shape w/ridge around outer edge; "6 1/2 R-CVX Corning PAT 2-2-15 Made In USA Corning Glass Works" embossed on back outside edge; located at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 1/2" (16.5cm) H: 1 1/8" (2.9cm)
q) Lens, round, glass, blue/green; convex shape w/ridge around outer edge; "1935 Corning Reg. US Pat Off. Made In USA 6 1/2" CVX RDL Pat 2-2-15" embossed on back outside edge; located at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; Diam: 6 1/2" (16.5cm) H: 1 1/8" (2.9cm)
r-s) Vane or blade; long wooden plank, painted red on one side, white on other side; 6 holes at smaller end for mounting to spectacle; larger at other end with rounded corners; small metal bracket attaches to larger end for support; original in Collections building, reproductions made in-house & installed at D&RG station in downtown Littleton; L: 48 1/2" (123.2cm) W: 10" (25.4cm) H: 3/4" (2.0cm)

Not numbered:
12 - larger bolts with the heads painted red, for attaching the vanes to the spectacle
18 - smaller bolts & nuts for attaching the lens collars to the spectacle; all but 7 seem to be original or at least older than the other 11.

Date

c.1900

Search Terms

Railroad, Denver & Rio Grande