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MERSHON
INTERLOCKING TOWER
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Mershon
Tower was built in about 1880, most likely by Michigan Central
predecessor Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw. Control of the Tower
alternated yearly between Michigan Central and Pere Marquette until the
1920s
It
is classed as a manual interlocking tower because a rack of 26 long
levers controlled the signals governing the crossovers and the junction
switches. All of these aptly named “armstrong” levers are still in
the cabin. They were physically connected to switches and signals by a
system of bell cranks and long iron rods (which moved in concrete
mounted roller sheaves) sometimes several hundred feet in length,
depending on the distance of the switch or signals. Each lever is also
attached to a flat rod with notches on it. These flat rods are adjacent
to each other in a horizontal rack behind the levers. As the levers are
thrown, the corresponding rods slide and the notches “interlock”
with each other. They can be thrown only in a certain order, thus it is
impossible for a towerman to set up conflicting movements. We have
reason to believe that the Tower was electrified in 1974, but we do know
that most
of the manual system electrified by 1976.
As
early as the 1940s, Pere Marquette was keen to close Mershon Tower due
to the operating costs. It nearly happened in the 1960's. Then-owner
Chesapeake and Ohio was willing, but it would have required the
assistance of cash-strapped Penn Central, so it never happened.
Ultimately, the Tower was closed in September of 1987 by CSX
Transportation.
Mershon Tower
has had a few brushes with death. In 1974, a derailment sent an wayward
Penn Central gondola through the base of the Tower. In 1986, a record
flood threatened to make the Tower float away. When crews were preparing
the Tower to be moved here in 1988, it wasn't completely unanchored from
the foundation. Thus, when
the crane hired to lift the tower, it lifted the right side of the
tower, while the left side stayed where it was. The base of the tower
died a spectacular death in the process. Museum volunteers rebuilt the
base, but in 1991, an arsonist tried to put an end to that. But thanks
to an alert neighbor, the Tower was saved. And so it still sits,
awaiting restoration.
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