Standard Interlocker Tower
Tower 3 Southern Pacific
By Paul DeVerter.
Copyright (C) 2004 Paul DeVerter
BACKGROUND
The intersection of railroads at grade was the source of many accidents. The Railroad Commission of Texas
(RRC) formulated regulations in 1902 requiring all railroads to install and man gates at intersections, until proper interlocking plants could be constructed. The Towers in Texas were numbered in the order of dated authorized. This interlocker was authorized October 9, 1902 with a mechanical system of 21 levers. The railroads were the San Antonio &
Aransas Pass and the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio. Both were later parts of the Southern Pacific, and now Union Pacific.
There were originally trackside rods running to the various switches. This structure housed the mechanism and workers. The color scheme varied over the years, and was white when
decommissioned in 1996. This structure is still in existence, and was moved to a railroad park in the City of Flatonia, where it was rehabilitated, and is now a museum. It was repainted to the traditional colors.
Variations
This is a more or less standard interlocker tower built in 1902 to control the crossing of two then independent railroads at Flatonia, Texas. Used to house the mechanism and
personnel who protected the crossings at grade of railroads.
