Re: SG Burning Switch Pictures

Smudge pots are new technology... back in the day, switch maintainers would simply pour kerosene on the ground (it was plentiful back then) and light it off. Hopefully it didn't burn the ties too badly (not a big deal back then, when labor and materials were dirt cheap...)

Incidentally, speaking of ties, I was just over at the old PFE shops here... seems that UP is busy stockpiling huge quantities of concrete ties there. I know that they are busy double-tracking the Sunset Route (they are already done from El Paso to at least Steins Pass on the NM-AZ border). Apparently wooden ties are definitely a relic of the past... I wonder if the C&TS would ever consider switching...

Bill Daniels
Santa Rosa, California