Racine Railroad Products

Born on this day in 1840, William Robinson invented the failsafe track circuit used in railway signaling. Robinson’s closed track circuit detected block occupancy and problems like a broken rail or broken wiring. His invention was key in railway safety and the development of automatic signaling systems now in use today. Robinson began to develop an automatic block signal system in 1867, which was installed on the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad in 1870. He received a U.S. patent in 1870 for automatic electrical and electrically controlled fluid pressure signal systems, a U.K. patent in 1871 for automatic electro-pneumatic electric signal systems, and patents in the U.S. and France in 1872 for closed track circuit system. Robinson Electric Railway Signal Company was established in 1873. Robinson’s signal systems were installed on railroads throughout the U.S. during the 1870s. #railroad #railroadhistory Sources: Wikipedia

On this day in 1923, inventor Garret Morgan was awarded the first U.S. patent for a three-position traffic signal. The Morgan traffic signal improved safety for motorists and pedestrians thanks to the third position all-directional stop, which halted traffic before resuming movement on one road. The signal could also be positioned at half-mast when traffic was low, altering motorists to proceed with caution, similar an intersection with flashing red or yellow lights today. Source: U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration

MACHINE MONDAY The Racine Ultra Clipper simultaneously applies and retracts two clips on one rail. It works?with a variety of workheads to accommodate many types of resilient fasteners. It can be used on concrete, wood or steel ties with no workhead change out. A hydraulic lever easily switches the Ultra Clipper from retracting to applying and back. The Racine Ultra Clipper’s rugged design uses an outrigger wheel assembly for stability, reducing operator fatigue. The self-propelled hydraulic motor will push the machine up an incline. Learn more about this machine here: https://lnkd.in/gEP2vAmr #railroad #maintenanceofway #trackmaintenance

An old C&NW railroad bridge crosses Root River here in Racine, just east of Memorial Drive. It was built with an interesting feature that was never used. On April 18, 1909, hundreds gathered at Root River in drizzling rain to witness the swinging of the new Chicago & Northwestern Railway Bridge. After more than six months of construction, the deck truss bridge was completed, establishing a double track between Milwaukee and Chicago. At 6 pm the bridge swung into place and at 6:30 the crowd cheered as the first train crossed the new bridge. Originally scheduled for April 11, the opening was postponed when C&NW decided to install a turntable under the structure. The bridge was designed to swing to allow ships to pass through, but the river traffic never materialized, and the bridge remained stationary. The bridge now belongs to Union Pacific Railroad and carries a single active track. The swing gears and mechanisms are still clearly visible. #railroad #railroadbridges #railroadhistory Photos: Streetscapes Around Racine Sources: Wisconsin Historical Society (property record 142248), Racine Journal Times (Apr 6, 1909; Apr 19, 1909), Industrial Scenery Blogspot

Born on this day in 1831, Eli H. Janney was the inventor of the modern knuckle coupler. Janney couplers link rail cars and locomotives together securely. During his lunch breaks as a dry goods clerk, Janney used a block of wood that he whittled to develop his concept for a replacement to the railroads’ link and couplers. In April 1873 he was awarded a U.S. patent titled "Improvement in Car-Couplings" which described the knuckle-style couplers that are in use on railroads today. ? Originally known as Janney couplers, they’re mostly referred to as knuckles in the U.S. and Canada. They’re also known as American, AAR, APT, ARA, MCB, Buckeye, tightlock (in the UK) or Centre Buffer Couplers. #railroad #railroadhistory Source: Wikipedia

On this day in 1951, the first direct dial long-distance telephone call was made. The mayor of Englewood, NJ placed a phone call to the mayor of Alameda, CA using AT&T’s Bell System. The call was connected automatically within 18 seconds, made possible using by the introduction of area codes and automatic switching systems. America’s area codes were developed in 1947 but had only been used for operator toll dialing until this call. With the success of this first trial, AT&T rolled out Direct Distance Calling across America. Sources: NJ Monthly, CAL 170 California State Library, Wikipedia??

Leigh and Barrett attended the Railway Age Women in Rail conference in Chicago, which recognizes the growth in leadership roles for women in the railway industry. https://lnkd.in/eYKYGUqK #railroad #womeninrail

On this day in 1935 Parker Brothers began marketing the Monopoly board game. Invented in 1903 by Elizabeth Magie, it was originally called “The Landlord’s Game” and included two sets of rules for different versions of the game. In 1932 a heater salesman named Charles Darrow discovered the game and developed his own version, Monopoly. In 1935 Parker Brothers bought the copyrights to Darrow’s Monopoly game and the rights to Magie’s original patent. The new Parker Brothers Monopoly game was based on the streets of Atlantic City, NJ. Sources: First Versions dot com, Wikipedia

MACHINE MONDAY: The Racine Advanced Tie Plate Inserter lifts two rails and inserts tie plates simultaneously with one operator. #railroad #maintenanceofway #trackmaintenance

MACHINE MONDAY: The Racine Advanced Tie Plate Inserter is a self-propelled machine that allows one operator to lift two rails and insert tie plates simultaneously. #railroad #maintenanceofway #trackmaintenance