Thanks to one and all, especially to Brendan for driving all through the night - after swapping tow vehicles - to come down with the rail and to take back the ground throws. Baltimore's Light Rail system had replaced all of these throws with electric switch machines late in 2011; I was able to talk to the contractor and arranged for me to "dispose" of them instead of his crews. The Catenary Department for the Light Rail system stored these monsters for me until I was able to arrange for transport. Since all of them had been in service until about 18 months ago, they all operate smoothly; a cleaning and repainting of the outside, as well as maybe loosing the reflectored targets, should be all that's needed to put them to use. Sixteen out of eighteen are a "New Century" style, which have the handle receivers cast in to the base so the entire throw is one piece. There are two of the Century throws which have the separate foot treadle latches/locks for the handle; of course, I could only find one pair of these separate latches on the ground, but I'm sure things will turn up. About two-thirds of the throws still have the connecting rod attached, and I found another one in the pile with the parts.
Anyway, have fun up north unloading and storing them! What we don't use can always be sold or traded...
Dave
