N&W Water Tank Sign

[NW Mailing List]

These signs have been reproduced in the last 20 years. There is no way to tell the difference, as they are not marked as such in any way. I have a repro set, they were not drilled and tapped for mounting, but that is easily fixed. 

Two repros were sold at a railroad estate auction in Wytheville two weeks ago, The person who bought the water sign was buying it for someone else, and knew it was a repo, and the person he was buying it for knew it was a repo. 

They were made off the original patterns, so there is nothing to discern a difference.

Originals are very scarce, but unless you have one that mounts on the cast base, I'd say they are highly suspect.

Ken Miller

On Nov 3, 2013, at 8:54 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:


> Very interesting.  Thanks, Ed.  I know there was one of these signs located opposite the Blue Ridge station for eastbound trains approaching the water tank at Villamont, located approximately 1.5 miles away.  

> 

> The dealer I bought this from also had one of the coal limit signs.  Having never seen or heard of one before, I paid little attention to it. 

>  

> I'm also curious as to how rare these are.  I only know of one other person that owns a water limit sign and yesterday was the first time in my 15 years in this hobby of ever seeing one for sale. 

>  

> Jeff Hawkins

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: NW Mailing List

> To: NW Mailing List

> Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2013 9:51 PM

> Subject: Re: N&W Water Tank Sign

> 

> Strictly speaking, this is not a water tank sign; it’s a water LIMIT sign.  There was also a coal limit sign to use in appropriate places.  It relieved trains stopped to take water (or coal) of the responsibility to protect their trains according to the dictates of Rule 99, the flagging rule; it warned following trains that there may be a train standing in water (or coal) limits unprotected.   It allowed rear end crews to inspect their trains while water or coal were being taken.

>  

> EdKing 

>  

> From: NW Mailing List

> Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2013 7:33 PM

> To: NW Mailing List

> Subject: N&W Water Tank Sign

>  

> Today at the train show in Gaithersburg, Maryland I purchased an N&W water tank sign.  What intrigued me is how it is supposed to be mounted to a post.  A water tank sign is also prominently featured In O. Winston Link's photo "High Ball for the Double Header".  In Link's photo the sign and post appear to be integral.  The one I purchased cleary mounts to a post via four bolts.  Stamped on the back of mine is "29994".  Attached are photos to help illustrate the scenario. 

>  

> I would greatly appreciate any feedback and information about the water tank signs, especially something that might help explain the two variations. 

>  

> Jeff Hawkins

>  

> www.railsinvirginia.com

> www.railfirephotography.com

> 

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