Pennsylvania Railroad “Watch Box”
Circa 1911
(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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pennsylvania Railroad Standard Telephone Booth
this page online
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 666 times since then and 31 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.
