Ludington Subdivision
- C&O Dispatcher
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Ludington Subdivision
There was one important item that GRS did NOT supply as part of the "west end" operation. It was a single rubber part from a bike pedal firmly attached with electrical tape to a cut-off fishing pole, and notched to perfectly fit the signal and switch levers. With this device, one could reach over and move the levers and hit the "start" buttons without having to raise one's buttocks from the chair or otherwise straining oneself reaching over to perform these functions!
- Saturnalia
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Re: Ludington Subdivision
Laziness is often the chief source of invention - I love it!C&O Dispatcher wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2024 1:49 pmThere was one important item that GRS did NOT supply as part of the "west end" operation. It was a single rubber part from a bike pedal firmly attached with electrical tape to a cut-off fishing pole, and notched to perfectly fit the signal and switch levers. With this device, one could reach over and move the levers and hit the "start" buttons without having to raise one's buttocks from the chair or otherwise straining oneself reaching over to perform these functions!
- C&O Dispatcher
- Railroadfan...fan
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- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:02 pm
Re: Ludington Subdivision
I once watched a Youtube video of a dispatcher working the Clinchfield on a similar type machine. Lo and behold, I was taken aback when I saw him reach for a similar "device" to line-up movements on his board! I guess laziness (er, I mean ingenuity) was not exclusive to the Saginaw office!!Saturnalia wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:36 pmLaziness is often the chief source of invention - I love it! :lolC&O Dispatcher wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2024 1:49 pmThere was one important item that GRS did NOT supply as part of the "west end" operation. It was a single rubber part from a bike pedal firmly attached with electrical tape to a cut-off fishing pole, and notched to perfectly fit the signal and switch levers. With this device, one could reach over and move the levers and hit the "start" buttons without having to raise one's buttocks from the chair or otherwise straining oneself reaching over to perform these functions!
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- Railroadfan...fan
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Re: Ludington Subdivision
Just came across this post, great stuff C&O Dispatcher. Thanks for posting.
I grew up in SE Michigan and spent many years visiting Romulus, Wayne and Plymouth in the 70s and 80s. I even spent a couple of years in the early 70s as a young boy living in Evart (along the Ludington Sub) and rode the ferry to Manitowoc in the late 70s. I remember C&O, B&O and Chessie power back then, and lots of short, fast freights. Good reading, didn't know how busy the line once was before my time!
JG
I grew up in SE Michigan and spent many years visiting Romulus, Wayne and Plymouth in the 70s and 80s. I even spent a couple of years in the early 70s as a young boy living in Evart (along the Ludington Sub) and rode the ferry to Manitowoc in the late 70s. I remember C&O, B&O and Chessie power back then, and lots of short, fast freights. Good reading, didn't know how busy the line once was before my time!
JG