Wanted: Push-Buttons for PRR Control Box
The Harrisburg Chapter of the NRHS is in need of replacement Western Electric Type 92 push-buttons for the restoration of the Train Director's Control Panel at Harris Tower.
Harris Tower is being fully restored to its early 1940's condition and is currently open to the public as an interactive museum. The tower's 113 lever interlocking machine and 20' wide model board have been tied in to a computer system that simulates the actual rail traffic that Harris controlled during The War Years. Visitors actually operate the interlocking machine to route "virtual trains" to their proper destinations, following their progress by way of the track occupancy lights on the model board.
The last major component of the system awaiting restoration is the tower's Train Director's Control Panel. The panel contained 14 indicator lamps, 42 push-buttons and 28 rotary on-off switches. Most of the switches and push-buttons had been removed before The Harrisburg Chapter assumed ownership of the building. We are currently searching for replacements for the missing push-buttons. Photos are included.
Once restored, the control panel will also be tied in to the simulation system, allowing visitors to set directiion of traffic flow, control safety switches that allow trains into non-electrified trackage as well as allowing visitors to reset Tap-Out indications from the adjacent passenger station.
Any help in furthering our restoration and preservation efforts would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Dan Rapak
Project Engineer - Harris Tower Restoration
Harrisburg Chapter - National Railway Historical Society
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Control Panel in Service - 1979.jpg [ 22.55 KiB | Viewed 4190 times ] |
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s Panel Push-Button.jpg [ 42.26 KiB | Viewed 4190 times ] |