Guardians of the Iron Rails
 Photo by: R. Craig
Interlocking towers have stood guard over railroad traffic for nearly a 150 years; However,
today's modern railroading no longer requires their presence. The need for elevated
towers manned by operators who scan the horizon for on-coming trains is nearly non-existant.
Electrical advancements and wireless communication have facilitated the development of
sophisticated interlocking plant systems that in today's world provide a higher level of
safety and security. This section salutes those iconic sentinels of the past that quietly
stood guard over North American rails.
The above 1964 scene is reminiscent of a time when as many as 60 passenger
and freight trains a day rolled through Marion, Ohio en-route to destinations across the
Eastern and Midwestern United States. Built on stilts, the three-story AC Tower was at the
center of activity and provided watchful protection for trains rattling over the double-
diamond tracks. The Marion station platforms across from AC Tower were an ideal location
for railroad-enthusiast to watch and photograph trains during both steam and diesel eras.
An ideal location of yesterday's railfanning, Chesapeake & Ohio, Erie Lackawanna, New York
Central and Pennsylvania railroads could be counted on to provide plenty of action. During
the post-merger era, the central players are rail giants CSX and Norfolk Southern.
On the afternoon of August 15, a Chicago-bound Erie Lackawanna freight passes the
1902-built AC Tower.
Uploaded: 1 January 2021
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