Railroadiana At Easton Library, Thanks To SoNo Switch Tower Museum

EASTON — It was the railroads that devised the four time zones during the 1800s that continue to exist in the United States. Visitors to Easton Library during the next few weeks will learn this and more – including why timekeeping is important on the railroads – in “Keeping Track of Time,” one of two exhibitions currently on view at the library thanks to The SoNo Switch Tower Museum.

The museum is actually presenting two railroad-related exhibits, the second being “Switching Trains – The Hard Way” – through January 9.

The SoNo Switch Tower Museum is housed in a restored 1896 former New Haven Railroad signal station (switch tower) located in South Norwalk. The display “Switching Trains – The Hard Way” shows how trains could be switched from track to track up to a quarter of a mile mile away from the tower using levers and a unique mechanical pipeline. Railroad employees had to be very strong in those days: there was no hydraulics or electricity to help them do their jobs.Easton Public Library, at 691 Morehouse Road, can be reached by calling 261-0134. Regular hours are Monday and Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am to 8 pm; Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm; and Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm.