Friends of the Rail Forum

For Kevin...

Photo by John Ashworth, Nairobi, 29th August 2009

Thanks for this John! Taken in the museum?

Nice picture of an interesting little instrument.

It should in fact be labelled "Morse Telegraph Receiving Sounder" - it is a sounder and not a key.

Sounders were used to provide an audible signal for the morse transmission - a simple device based on one or two coils which on receipt of an electrical signal activated a bar to generate a sound.

The sounder shown looks to me, from the shape of the knobs, to be English or local in manufacture (English instruments used that dished tyoe of "wheel"). It is in good condition, except for the top which is badly bent for some reason. Should be fixable though!

John - here is a sounder I have. I want to restore this when I have the time!

This is an American sounder - from a US railway (I cannot remember which - have notes somewhere). It is OLD!

I think it is largely brass, part from the aluminium "knocker". The latter was used as it gave a louder tone. Note the lovely turned knobs with that angled serration - when there was pride and qualitiy in things!

Started the clean - lots of elbow grease and effort. It appears most of it is brass, with some aluminium. Stripped it down - its looks fully functional.