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From: "Ronald" rdukarm AT roadrunner DOT com
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:50:54 -0500
Subject: The Erie Dog and Mail Cranes
"Dog_as_Mail_Clerk_EM_7-27.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1500x1424 (24bit)

List,

Attached is an interesting article on an Erie dog trained to hook up and retrieve mail bags fram a mail crane at the Erie's Swains, NY depot. It appeared in the July 1927 issue of Erie Magazine.

However, it brings up another question on mail cranes. It seems every one I see is a unique item. Every station seems different and every railroad is different yet.

The Erie seems to have gone in for standardization on many of its structures. They must have a standard mail crane. But the crane in the photo appears to have been modified to allow the dog to get up next to the hook. I'm also curious as to how the placement at the depot was determined. (which side of track, how far from depot, etc)

Whenever I see a mail crane in a pub I usually make a copy. It seems that the railroads (and inventors) were constantly trying to improve the crane.

Ron Dukarm

Dog_as_Mail_Clerk_EM_7-27.jpg

Image EXIF Data:
Image Creation Date   2011:02:17 04:57:03
Software Version   Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
X Resolution   360 Pixels/Inch
Y Resolution   360 Pixels/Inch
Exif Image Width   2512 pixels
Exif Image Height   2384 pixels
ColorSpace   Uncalibrated


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