Looking for Tower Stories

rbarcus · **Posted:** Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:06 pm

I'm trying to expand the HVRM's Grasselli Tower website (http://www.grassellitower.com) by asking former tower operators/levermen for their tower-related stories that I can publish on our website to help further educate people about towers. Stories can be from any railroad, any time period, any tower location - it just has to be a story or experience related to a railroad tower. I can't think of any better way to help people understand how a real tower operated than to ask the people who were actually there! I'll try to select the best stories (as many of them as I can) and publish them on our website for all to read. If you feel comfortable sharing your memories, please contact me off-board.

Howard P. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:47 am

http://www.westctnrhs.org/tower.htm

Check this link-- it's the WestConn Chapter of the NRHS, and their SS44-- "Signal Station 44", the NYNH&H designation for South Norwalk tower.

WestConn has restored this tower right in the heart of South Norwalk, and they have just published a great book about NYNH&H towers, particularly SS44. It has great description of the operators and their work.

Howard P.

Onder · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:41 am

Is this tower just about across the main from where the
Danbury branch comes in to the station?

Howard P. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:33 pm

Yes. It controlled the junction of the Berkshire Line and the 4-track main, some crossovers on the main, and a power board for the electrification. A nearby drawbridge on the 4-track main added additional complications.

If one is in the area, it is well worth a visit. A first-rate tower museum and display, with the addition of a great book to give all the relevant detail.

Howard P.

rbarcus · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 8:26 am

I added some tower stories to the Grasselli website this morning. You can read a couple of stories submitted by our visitors at:

http://www.grassellitower.com/stories.htm

If you have a tower story you would like to share, please do! It doesn't have to be a story about Grasselli Tower - just your fond memories from your favorite railroad tower.

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Bob -

Thanks for posting these. And thanks Steve and Randall for two absolutely GREAT stories!

Les

Sloan · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:12 pm

Bravo to Harrisburg Chapter NRHS for saving Harris Tower and turning it into a "living" museum!

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0608/524956.html

Sloan

rbarcus · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:12 pm

If anybody has anymore tower stories to share, please email me: webmaster@grassellitower.com

Some of the stories I've received I haven't yet posted, so please bear with me - I'm trying to keep up with my workload.