Train - Cow catching technology 1869
by Mike Savad
Title
Train - Cow catching technology 1869
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Colorized Photo
Description
Colorized photo from 1869
Original title: Rawlings Springs
Photographer: Andrew Russell
Location: Sedgwick, Rawling Springs, WY
Look at all the interesting improvements in cow catching technology.
Cowcatchers are triangular devices mounted to the front of a locomotive (even modern ones), that is used to help escort a lazy bovine out of the way. Struck by a train, the cow becomes steak and the train may derail, I would imagine. The first cowcatcher was invented by Charles Babbage in 1838. No one mentioned what inspired him to make such a thing, but I would love to see his prototypes and testing methods.
The design basically lifts a cow off the tracks and place him on the side, but I'm sure it left a bruise of some kind. These models are a bit more unusual as they covered the open areas with wood. I can only imagine that animals got their leg caught in it and this would maybe stop that? Or maybe it cleared small rocks off the tracks, it would explain that patch the center one has. We may never know.
Uploaded
August 3rd, 2022
Statistics
Viewed 3,202 Times - Last Visitor from Toronto, ON - Canada on 04/20/2024 at 6:00 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (2)
Dr Debra Stewart's Gallery
Congratulations, your wonderful image has been featured in The Art Workshop Group -- thanks for sharing it with us! Please feel free to add it to the most recent Feature Archive in the Discussion section (using the "embed" link on your image page). Also, if you like, please find your category in the discussion forums and embed/post the image and discuss your methods for our learning community!!!