A quick brief on my situation:

I volunteered to restore this whistle marker since... Well... It's obvious. This is a first for me and I was wondering, did the pole into the ground have paint at one time? the marker head was repainted sometime in the last 50 years but the pole itself is too deteriorated to tell if it did or didn't at one point. Any help is appreciated.

-Chris B.

Quick and dirty answer: Yes.

I've removed a couple PRR variants of this kind of sign for restoration at a local auto body shop--a quick wire brush and/or sandblast, primer, and paint and you're good to go. Spray paint for the primer and black base, then white gloss by brush.

I've seen two short line railroads restore their original whistle posts. But mind you, they placed them on solid steel posts set in concrete, then spot-welded the (removable) signs themselves to the posts.

I think these B&O signs are solid units, so it's up to you to decide whether to dig them up and take them to a shop or work on them in the field. You may not want to make them look too good, lest they catch the eyes of vandals or thieves.

I was told about that by some other volunteers. Upon digging, the B&O had these in about 300 lbs. of Concrete 2 feet down. It wouldn't be a problem to have to repaint them if someone tagged it but the chances of them being stolen are low. The area is very nice and the signs sit around a house. The neighbors are real nice to the railroad. I'm sure if someone was down there with a saw/truck/hammer/loud device, they'd do something about it.

As for the actual restoration part, I have everything set up and ready to go. I know the one pictured will be a field job, thanks to the dead brush. As for the other, some say take it out, some say keep it.

Yeah, definitely keep a sharp eye on this once your restoration is complete. About 11 years ago, when I was employed in the industry, my co-worker discovered a rare "No Disposal of Rubbish..blah blah blah" sign along the right of way. He lovingly carved it from its weed cocoon and carefully returned it to glory. That was on Friday. By the following Monday, the sign was gone. Not a good feeling for him or any of us who cheered him on for sure.

Hello everyone,

I have begun the process of stripping and painting. West marker is in primer but has the head done. East marker is being cleared of brush and a tree. After some steel wool work, I discovered that both markers indeed have paint on the post. It was covered by the local "vegetation" works of the region. I also found another marker along the ROW. I'm contemplating on restoring it on site or buying it and restoring it from home. Details shortly.

- Chris B.

10/9/13 Update:

The weekend forecast shows storms moving into the area for the weekend. I went out tonight and finished the markers myself. I should have a picture of them by the 12th.

End result of West Marker!

You forgot the green spray paint that says "zam".

Chris -

You done good. Congrats!


Les

Well Done Chris, good work.

Tim W.

If you're referring to the slight fade in the paint, we weren't done detailing. I took this photo just before the sun dropped below the valley. I promise it is gone now.

As to everyone else, Thanks!

- Chris B.

Chris, no. I was teasing you, in a good natured way, about the spray paint vandalism that appeared on the post prior to restoration. You've done a fine job with that artifact.

I'm a bit thickheaded. Thank you, sir.

I had been trying to figure out where along that ROW you found these...

Had COMPLETELY forgotten that these two existed where they did. Great Job!

I've been trying to keep these secret in case any psycho collectors decide to "collect" these. Check your inbox.