C&O wooden signal tower update

The article on the 1923 design for the simplified wooden Signal Tower, which appeared on pages 12-15 of the October Magazine, omitted one example of this type of building that lasted until just a few years ago: "R" Cabin.

"R" Cabin was located at the throat of Fulton Yard in Richmond, Virginia, but there is no data on the date of its construction. Sometime in the late 1930s however, its weather boarding was covered with asbestos shingles that were quite popular at the time. A large picture window was also placed in the east end facing the engine terminal and main yard area, thus giving the operator a better view of the principal activity in the yard. This was necessary because there was no bay window on this particular design.

The photos at right show the tower being renovated, with scaffolding in place, and its appearance afterwards.

Furthermore, one is struck by the appearance of "MA" Cabin near Hawks Nest in the New River Gorge. The photo below shows that structure to be identical to this type plan, but built of brick rather than wood. It is the only C&O brick signal tower that we know of that isn't built to the neo-classical style with the bay window. Its roof and simple lines closely mimic the wooden design of Drawing S-264.

Copyright Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, Inc. Nov 1999
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