Re: What series was the SP American switch locks ?
Author: Shortline Sammie
Date: 03-28-2020 - 14:38
The old EsPee American switch locks were a wafer tumbler style with a double-sided key and has been adopted as (on the UP at least) the standard cab lock as was previously posted. They tended to have the shackle fall out of the body regularly which you had to look for in the dark.
The EsPee American signal lock was of the five-pin tumbler variety on a R1 restricted keyway and were rekeyable by changing the core. When OPR bought the Molalla Branch we purchased new cores for all of the signal locks which are on the same R1 keyway and converted them. A Phillips screwdriver with the lock open is all it takes to change the core.
The UP Signal department uses the same American five-pin tumbler locks but with an R2 keyway as are the Maintenance of Way locks. American seems to keep busy with UP orders!
Dick Samuels
Oregon Pacific Railroad