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Washington, D.C., circa 1920s. "Union Station signals and tracks." National Photo Company Collection glass negative, Library of Congress. View full size.
This is a fantastic photo of the place I have worked since 1990 - K Tower, Washington Terminal. It controls all of the former Washington Terminal signaled trackage. Semaphore signals were replaced in the 1950's with color position signals.
Richard Hafer
K Tower Train Director
I work for the Long Island RR, and it seems that very little changes in train yards. The equiptment changes with the times but not much else. It's definitely a bit of a throwback occupation.
I ride by here daily on the Metro. I believe this is facing west [it's north-northeast - Dave]. The landmark that stands out is the switching house, which is still there, and in the photo is at the lower middle slightly to the left. If I have my orientation, right, the Metro Red Line goes by on the left, where you can kind of see a train in the photo. This would be facing with your back to Union Station.
When I see the switching house, it looks like it's 100 years old. It's green-copper stained with some gray. Most of those tracks are still there, and there's now also some old electric train wires hanging overhead which may date back to the 50s (I am not sure).
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