September 8, 2016
Leo - Over my years in the scrap business, I've seen the terms "sponge
iron" and "cast iron" used interchangeably, although both have different
chemical properties. Anyway, the "sponge" part comes from if you break a casting
(ever drop an iron lawn chair only to have a foot snap off), the material at the
break will look porous compared to steel. Sponge/cast iron is brittle compared
to steel. Such a foundry would've received both hopper loads of coal (most
likely metallurgical quality) and "iron sponge" with outbound
castings most likely loaded into box cars. Or, if it was a small
foundry, then all their cast products probably were sold locally and shipped out
by truck or even horse drawn wagon. Another lost industrial technology, the
small town foundry..... Best Regards - Louis
Louis based on my memory of the building I think it could have been a
foundry.
Leo
September 8, 2016
Leo - The agent probably meant "sponge iron." Sponge
iron is a product produced using iron ore that's
often used to make wrought iron such as porch railings,
outdoor furniture, gates and other castings. My educated
guess is that the Sponge track lead to a foundry. Best Regards -
Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
Bud Linroth
just sent me an awesome find of a few switch lists from the agent at
Rochelle to the Condr on the southbound Wayfreight in October 1928.
There's several items that will eventually find there way to a future
article on a job called the "roustabout" which would have connected with
this southbound Wayfreight. Note everything says "southbound", not
eastbound as this dates from the time when the Shabbona to Paw Paw line
was in place. Train assignments were much different than all us old Aurora
div. guys experienced. I'll cover that in the article.
Here's the
time that I need help on. The agent lists cars under the track they are on
and what he wants done. One heading is the Iron Sponge track. That got me.
Can anyone who's research Rochelle fill me in on the Iron Sponge track
?
Bob H.,Rich
G.?
Leo
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