Line-and-Shaft vs. Electric Motors

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I believe that a lot of line shaft systems survived by having their  
steam engines replaced by large electric motors.

pete groom

On Apr 20, 2006, at 7:13 AM, nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org wrote:

Since we are now blessed with "East End Shop" representation on the  
List, perhaps someone has information on the following topoc.

I've been wondering when Roanoke Machine Works/East End Shops made  
the transition from "line-and-shaft" power to electric motor power  
for the operation of its machinery.

By "line-and-shaft" I mean the old system of powering machinery in  
the days before electric motors.  In the line-and-shaft method, power  
is distributed through a building from a stationary steam engine  
through a system of rotating rods, gears and flywheels suspended from  
the roof trusses.  Individual machines are connected to this  
constantly rotating system by a leather belt, which belt may be  
engaged or disengaged from a flywheel on the line-and-shaft by use of  
a hand clutch lever.  Line-and-shaft systems were maintained by a  
craft called "millwrights."

Can you imagine trying to bore a large diameter hole or run a milling  
machine using this old system?

The only line-and-shaft I know of that's still in existence is in the  
old East Broad Top RR shop at Orbisonia, Pa., but, of course, it  
hasn't operated in years.

I've always nwondered about when the transition to electric motors  
for shop machinery took place, as my own great-grandfather was a  
machinist at Roanoke Machine Works from about 1882 to 1934.

Has anyone seen any documentation on this major change in the way of  
doing things?

-- abram burnett
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