C.B & Q. Depot. The pole behind the depot was a railroad semaphore used to give orders to oncoming trains before radios were available. The double arm of the semaphore could give separate orders to two engineers on two trains; each obeyed the arm which - seen from this position - extended to the right of the pole. The downfacing arm is a sign to the engineer that he may proceed. The straight arm is a signal for an oncoming train to stop. For more information on the Michael Lemberger Collection visit https://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/repositories/2/resources/3157
Comments:
C.B & Q. Depot. The pole behind the depot was a railroad semaphore used to give orders to oncoming trains before radios were available. The double arm of the semaphore could give separate orders to two engineers on two trains; each obeyed the arm which - seen from this position - extended to the right of the pole. The downfacing arm is a sign to the engineer that he may proceed. The straight arm is a signal for an oncoming train to stop. For more information on the Michael Lemberger Collection visit https://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/repositories/2/resources/3157