Whippany in Morris County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pennsylvania Railroad “Watch Box”
Circa 1911
Photographed By Don Morfe, November 27, 2015
1. Pennsylvania Railroad “Watch Box” Marker
Inscription.
Pennsylvania Railroad “Watch Box”. Circa 1911. Replica created with the assistance of A. P. Kirby, Jr. Foundation’
(Inscription above the bronze plaque) , Pennsylvania Railroad Standard Watch Box, Circa 1911 (Replica). On the Pennsylvania Railroad, what we commonly called a “Crossing Shanty” was known as a “Watch Box”. Watch Boxes were placed at grade crossings until automatic crossing gates became common toward the middle of the 20th Century. Crossing Watchmen operated the manual Crossing Gates and used a Stop Sign to control traffic at the crossing. Watchmen were also required to inspect passing trains for defects; report engineers who failed to properly sound the whistle or ring the bell at the crossing and were expected to keep the crossing area clear of snow or other debris that might interfere with safe operation.
Replica created with the assistance of A. P. Kirby, Jr. Foundation’
(Inscription above the bronze plaque) Pennsylvania Railroad Standard Watch Box, Circa 1911 (Replica). On the Pennsylvania Railroad, what we commonly called a “Crossing Shanty” was known as a “Watch Box”. Watch Boxes were placed at grade crossings until automatic crossing gates became common toward the middle of the 20th Century. Crossing Watchmen operated the manual Crossing Gates and used a Stop Sign to control traffic at the crossing. Watchmen were also required to inspect passing trains for defects; report engineers who failed to properly sound the whistle or ring the bell at the crossing and were expected to keep the crossing area clear of snow or other debris that might interfere with safe operation.
Erected 2003 by Whippany Railway Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 40° 49.369′ N, 74° 24.729′ W. Marker is in Whippany, New Jersey, in Morris County. Marker is on Railroad Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany NJ 07981, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Tractor next to the Pennsylvania Railroad “Watch Box” Marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, November 27, 2015
4. Whippany Railway Museum building
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 1, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
