Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

I did the "search" routine before posting this question and didn't find anything unless something was overlooked. Can someone give me an idea (approx.) how much a small relay case/house would weigh? Is there someone here on the forum site that has one and are you satisfied with it?
I would like to obtain one if possible.

Thanks,
Roland

A small case empty I'd guess 35 - 45 or so pounds. Depends if it's aluminum. stainless, or pot metal. Some antique relay cases were made of cast iron and would be quite heavy. Start adding sealed relays and other electronics and I suppose it would add a few hundred pounds.

A fellow I know has an 1929 upper quadrant Magnetic Flagman wigwag in his collection, and when he first sand blasted it, it lost nearly 30 pounds in just paint alone. Of course; cast iron needs lots of protection.

I think we are talking about two different things here. The relay hut/house/case I am referring to are the small metal buildings that set trackside and hold the various relays and other electronic equipment needed to operate wayside signals or crossing signals. If someone has one, how do they have it displayed and is it functional?

Roland

Mr. Owens is probably best suited to answer that question. He has a relay case in his back yard that controls his signals. Scan through these posts to see some of his videos:

http://www.rxrsignals.net/Phpbb3/viewto ... f=18&t=247

He just started a job with a signal company in Texas, and will be eventually working in the Chicago area, so I'm not sure when he will be on this forum next.

Terminology confusion here I guess.

For me a relay case is one of the smaller structures that just holds the necessary controls, and must be attended to by a technician exposed to the weather; such as in the first picture. The ground level cabinet behind the case holds the backup batteries.

A relay house, or equipment bungalow, affords protection for the worker and the gear - including those heavy batteries - as the second photo shows.

It's the same crossing in both pictures, with the second picture taken after a crossing upgrade.

cabman701 wrote:Mr. Owens is probably best suited to answer that question. He has a relay case in his back yard that controls his signals. Scan through these posts to see some of his videos:

http://www.rxrsignals.net/Phpbb3/viewto ... f=18&t=247

He just started a job with a signal company in Texas, and will be eventually working in the Chicago area, so I'm not sure when he will be on this forum next.

My case weighs about 150-200 lbs. empty. It's a single door case...and it doesn't look like it'd be that heavy. I think it's made of steel. It was very rusty when I got it...so that's why I'm assuming that's what it's made of.

Wow. Heavier than I thought.

Hmm... Well, I can think of a few places that the tracks have long long since been abandoned, torn up, and forgotten... and for some reason the old relay cases have been left behind at the crossings. However at 150-200 lbs, I doubt a simple "midnight run" would net you one. :D

I know of a few around here. The tracks are gone, but the case remains. Still bolted to its base too.

think thats heavy? imagine how heavy one of these things might weigh!