LOVES MILES PER HOUR INDICATOR Railroad realated. Has anyone heard of this.?

Question

Round disk made of brass. Dial inside that has number of seconds and a slide that lines up either odd or even seconds to determine train speed

Answer 1

I'm with Rango on this one.

But, are you sure it isn't a "Dutch Clock?"  That's the only thing I can think of that resembles this device you describe.

These were devices similar to that which you describe, but they weren't speed indicators.  They were employed on some yard engines by the Southern Pacific at one time, but they were for "time and motion" accounting.  I don't know if any other railroads employed these machines.

A stylus, free floating above the disc, would show when the locomotive was moving or stopped, and the duration of movement or standing, inscribed on a paper sheet that was placed on top of the disc.  Switch-men Yard Foremen (a switch-man's version of a Conductor) had to account for the time spent on spot, if longer than 2 minutes.

They weren't well received.

Then it was discovered that if the engine hit a cut of cars too hard while coupling, the device would quit working.  Soon, all were bounced out of existence and the yard foremen were again performing their duties with smiles on their faces.

I have heard of the manufacturer before, however.  But they were supplanted long ago by Barco, and their mechanical speed recorders were the norm on most all locomotives for decades until these were supplanted by electronic speed indicators from SIS (Speed Information Systems) or Aeroquip speed recorders.  If I'm not mistaken, there were others produced by Prime and Milwaukie.

It's a long shot, but if it is in fact a Dutch Clock, you've probably got the only one in existence.  $$$

I'll be looking for any more info you dig up as well..

Addendum:

On the wheel arrangement I'm a little confused.  To my knowledge, 2 little, 2 big then 2 little would equate to a 4-4-4 wheel arrangment.  These arrangement does not exist.  The closest I can think of would be the "Atlantic" class, but that is a 4-4-2. Or, a 2-4-2, called the "Columbia" class.  In addition, their is a 4-2-0 "Six Wheeler" and 4-2-2, referred to as a "Bicycle."

These are amongst the earliest wheel configurations.  If one of these engines utilizied this type of speed measurement device, then you need to look farther back than the late 1800s, perhaps more toward the 1860s.

Answer 2

wow

no I have seen electronic calculators that were calibrated to give you speed using a stopwatch and mile or quarter mile posts.

this sounds like an old device, I googled it and nothing turned up.

If you find anything out, it sounds like a fascinating device, would you please -mail me with it?

Answer 3

I'm an Engineer, and always look for rare and antique items railroad related. This is one I've never heard of. I too would appreciate an E-mail if you can get anything conclusive on it. Very interesting.