The
next thing we are going to look at is an old switch box that is still there
after all these years.
I have three pictures of it. The first was taken on top of an old steamer
going across the fill in 1950
Heres the same box taken in the 60's after abandonment
and as it was in 1999
Steve Mumley has saved the day again and sent me the following on how
the Signal lights worked.
Thanks Steve:
Hi Tim:
The signal light out on the fill was operated
by a storage battery. The batteries were stored next to the signal
in a cement box in the ground. The batteries lasted a long time because
the signal was only on when the draw was opened and turned on by the drawtender.
I don't have a date when the signals were put in right off hand . Two of
the draws used a semaphore blade type rig with a small signal light and
I believe the Allen's Point draw had a newer search beam type signal. I'll
look it up. These signals were called approach and were x number
of feet from the draw to prevent the trains from going into the drink.
I'll get back to you with more detailed info.
Steve
At the site of the Allen Point Bridge Pieces of the locks are still
on the abutment
"I remember going to Burlington with my mother
on the train (Green Mt. Flyer)and waving to the people in the little cottages,
these were the living quarters for the people that manned the draws.
I remember one had a
women working
there. The draws would only be open during navigation season and I
believe three or four people would be stationed at each of the three locations.
An interesting fact, is that the draws were manually opened and closed.
I don't believe they even had electricity out to the draws. I know
they used kerosene lamps for light. They were part of the Rutland's
phone system and could talk to the dispatcher in Rutland and also on the
block line to the next station which used to be Alburgh and Burlington
in the later years. Earlier years they could talk with South Hero, Grande
Isle and No. Hero but of course they closed these stations in the early
50's except for Grand Isle which they re-opened for a period then closed
for good in 1959 or 60. "~ Steve
Mumley
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