Harp Switch Stands.

[Chris Walker]

Dave; Jeff posted the updated link in this post I'm replying to. http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Harp-Switch-Stands-tp21548p21654.html

My input and further posts are here on the CC RR http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Harp-stand-target-colours-tp3519p3531.html

[Dave Eggleston]

Thanks Chris.

[Jeff Young]

Thanks for the links, Chris.

So there appears to be *some* basis for the red/white conventional wisdom, but it's certainly not a water-tight case....

[Paul R.]

The Harps are on Hancock some work some will not- reason did not use a strong wire on the bluepoints and too hard to reach under this part of the layout and the blue points are buried in 2inch foam which makes it hard to adjust them, oh well live and learn!!!
Paul R.

[Mike Trent]

Yesterday at the CRRM:

[Chris Walker]

History Colorado Image 90.156.546

[Paul R.]

I wonder if the red dots meant  something special, as that was also in the painting of Alpine Tunnel engine house painting in Poor's book.

[Paul R.]

Maybe they removed the targets for yard tracks?

[Dave Eggleston]

Except there's a target on rotary stands in the background of that picture...

We're seeing a round target, no target and a rectangular target. Perhaps it depended on function of the switch.

[Keith Hayes]

I always figured that the target fell off and they just painted the rod white to improve visablity?

[Jeff Young]

That was always my assumption too (target fell off), but I'll admit I have no data to back it up....

[Chris Walker]

Depends on what side the Target was riveted on to.


RB Jackson Dillon 1937


RB Jackson Kenosha 1932


RB Jackson Idaho 1930




Bob Richardson Castleton 1955

[Dave Eggleston]

Which begs the question: When did bullet holes start showing up?

[Chris Walker]

Roughly 0.03 seconds after the trigger being pulled.

Beaver Brook in the late 1870s. I had wondered if there was specks on the print, but the divots are in the same place on the stereo version.

DPL Z-3386

[Todd Hackett]

Most of the really early shots are from a distance and grainy so it can be hard to tell specs from actual dents or holes. This is the same switch stand at Beaver Brook from the same direction, but painted differently. It looks like at least some of the specs (like those in the upper-right) are similar in both sides of the stereo view, but it's hard to day for sure:


While looking at switch stand photos at Beaver Brook, I noticed how it appears that they added some retaining walls in the area, widening the creek channel. That put the switch stand precariously close to the edge. It looks like a tie extends out over the creek for the switchman to stand on (too bad this wasn't a stereo view). Same switch, different target though. Interesting footbridge. This was an R. M. Davis photo and he's listed as being active in Denver in 1887.


This is the same location with a different type of switch stand, but the retaining wall has been refined making the drop into the creek even more imposing. This is a W. H. Walker marked with "Idaho Springs", and he was listed as having a studio in Idaho Springs in 1891.


While looking through Clear Creek photos, I came across this one of a switch stand at Forks Creek. Again hard to tell, but it looks like some marks appear in both sides (such as the one at the 2 o'clock position of the lower circle). I also like the excursion car. This is a Weitfle view, so probably not later than 1885. It's not too early because the refreshment building is already complete.

[Dave Eggleston]

Simply amazing.

[Chris Walker]

DPL X-7303 cropped.


I'd speculate that in the case of Beaver brook that it was locals plinking away at that Harp, given the lack of supervision, isolation and boredom.
In the RB Jackson pictures(previously posted), only the Idaho and Dillon targets are unmolested.