Pennsylvania Railroad "BF" Tower

The Pennsylvania Railroad "BF" Tower, located in Bradford, Ohio, stands as a historical landmark showcasing the significance of railroad interlocking towers that once dotted the railways of the United States. Built by the Pennsylvania Railroad around 1929 at Bradford Junction, this tower replaced an earlier wooden structure. From this imposing building, operators meticulously managed train movements, track switches, signals, and communication with passing train crews using telegraph equipment and the essential railroad clock.

The core of the tower housed intricate steel throw-arms, called Armstrong levers, which controlled the various operations within the junction area. Operators communicated with other towers and dispatching centers in cities like Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, illustrating the vital role this tower played in railroad operations. With the advent of railroad telephones in the late 1920s and radios post-World War II, the technology within the tower evolved, eventually closing its doors on January 3, 1984.

Today, the Pennsylvania Railroad "BF" Tower serves as a reminder of a bygone era in railroad history, preserved by the Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum and The Ohio Historical Society. This historical marker not only pays tribute to the tower's legacy but also highlights the importance of structures like these in shaping the transportation industry of Ohio and the United States.

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