Tea towels

Why is it that in almost every picture I've seen of an old-fashioned lever-frame box, there's at least one lever that always has a tea towel draped over it?

An a related note, is there anywhere I can try out an AB lever-frame box for myself? Been having a go on the PC-Rail :whistle: Heritage Series sims (demos only, I promise!) and they've given me a bit of a bug for trying AB...

1) to protect your fingers from getting trapped in the catch handle (trust me, it hurts! )

2) to keep the levers clean of hand residue/sweat, etc which can cause damage or fading in the long term

3) to protect hands from any dirt on said lever (works both ways)

" said:

1) to protect your fingers from getting trapped in the catch handle (trust me, it hurts! )

Not sure how much help a duster would do, unless you use some really thick ones? I guess it stops it from pinching quite so much, though.

Kidderminster Railway Museum offer occasional Signalling Weekends in conjunction with the Severn Valley Railway.

Indeed, the catch handle pinched my finger, but then wouldn't let go until i reversed the lever, ive never made that mistake again!

" said:

Kidderminster Railway Museum offer occasional Signalling Weekends in conjunction with the Severn Valley Railway.

Though if you're going to get that practical, you may as well join a preserved railway so you get a chance to signal something which does actually go choo choo - or honk honk! (Provided you have the time, of course)

Quote:

Indeed, the catch handle pinched my finger, but then wouldn't let go until i reversed the lever, ive never made that mistake again!

I hear the other fun one is getting your duster/shirt/trousers caught on the cotter pins (the pointy things at the sides of the catch handle pivot, holding it in place) during a particularly energetic pull - luckily not managed it myself yet!

I've left levers clean one day, had an evening turn man work the frame for a few hours, and come back in the morning to find some nice rusty finger marks appearing!

Or the old favourite of the lever stopping, or something breaking when halfway across, resulting in a dazed signalman on the desk/chair/stove. That's a fun moment - "I could have sworn I was just standing up..."

" said:

Or the old favourite of the lever stopping, or something breaking when halfway across, resulting in a dazed signalman on the desk/chair/stove. That's a fun moment - "I could have sworn I was just standing up..."

Landing on the LIT stove really hurts!

"... a towel has immense psychological value. …….. any man who …….. knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with."
(Douglas Adams : Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy)


Peter

Or the old favourite of the lever stopping, or something breaking when halfway across, resulting in a dazed signalman on the desk/chair/stove. That's a fun moment - "I could have sworn I was just standing up..."

Yep, that's the Romsey, with a heavy-going ring of 8 bells in the Abbey too (I believe they're fundraising to get Taylors to rehang them)

Or try and persuade her she wants to come with me and do something else in the area in the meantime again with the three children

" said:

Yep, that's the Romsey, with a heavy-going ring of 8 bells in the Abbey too (I believe they're fundraising to get Taylors to rehang them)

They have been rehung