Forum Members,

At our Greenport Museum site we have a curious object that we cannot come up with a viable explanation for! Please take a look at the linked photos for us and give me your opinions.

This “ARTHURS Hump Rail Block” was found near a grade crossing on the Long Island Railroad mainline at Medford, NY. It was unearthed during some road construction and given to the Railroad Museum of Long Island. Below the inscription noted above, it has embossed: “PAT. APRIL 21, 1902”

Any ideas? Can it possible be some sort of wheel chock? If so, how do you keep it on the rail and under the wheel?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00314.JPG

http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00315.JPG

http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00316.JPG

http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00317.JPG



n2qhv@arrl.net

> Forum Members,

> At our Greenport Museum site we have a
> curious object that we cannot come up with a
> viable explanation for! Please take a look
> at the linked photos for us and give me your
> opinions.

> This “ARTHURS Hump Rail Block” was found
> near a grade crossing on the Long Island
> Railroad mainline at Medford, NY. It was
> unearthed during some road construction and
> given to the Railroad Museum of Long Island.
> Below the inscription noted above, it has
> embossed: “PAT. APRIL 21, 1902”

> Any ideas? Can it possible be some sort of
> wheel chock? If so, how do you keep it on
> the rail and under the wheel?

> Thanks in advance.

>
> http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00314.JPG

>
> http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00315.JPG

>
> http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00316.JPG

>
> http://www.railroadforum.com/upload/n2q ... C00317.JPG

What sort of material is it constructed from.....wood or stone? If it was found near a grade crossing is possible that it was part of the crossing paving with the notched area placed next to the railhead thus forming a flange way?

Don C.

http://www.261.com
milw261@sbcglobal.net

Thanks Don, and Larry for your off-line opinion.

Both of you suggest a paving stone. The material is similar to fire brick in weight and color. The edges are smoothed and shaped as if finely "finished".

Thank you for the response.

Don

http://rmli.org
n2qhv@arrl.net