I did not know I had so many boxes of stuff, junk, antiques and parts of all kinds. Here is a photo of a "telegraph" relay unit mounted on a wood base with the name B&O RR carved on the top. It still has the sales tag attached listing it for "10.00". This item was purchased at an antique shop in Gatlinburg,TN in 1973. I am in the process of reconditioning it as part of my collection. How did this Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Telegraph Relay end up at an antique shop in Gatlinburg , Tennessee? It now has a permanent home in North Pole, Alaska?

A quick Google search shows that this relay is identified as a "Charles Chester 1855 Telegraph Relay".
My unit doesn't come close to looking this good. I will have progress photos here later.

Included in this "STUFF" is an old BUG, which is also known as a semi-automatic key made by Vibroplex. This key was given to me in 1958 by a railroad employee.  It was last used on the Clinchfield Railroad in 1950 by the Signal Department which was located on the first floor, track side of the main office building on Nolichucky Avenue. The telegrapher at that time was Charlie Pittman. The name engraved on the bottom of the key is: "C.W. Palmer" and ?. I hope the restoration will bring out the lettering.

Want to try your Morse Code skills? Click here and see if you can read this and discover if there may be an error.

Copyright ©2007, GEM Designers, North Pole, Alaska