Out Diggin' 

Now that you have done all the homework needed, and have all your equipment, it's time to head out on the line. Let's start with a railroad line first. If you've figured out for sure what side of the tracks the original line ran on, you're all set. If you haven't, there are some things you will have to do. Walk one side of the tracks and then the other, looking for fragments on the surface. (It's quite possible there were threadless on both sides, so don't overlook the other side just because you believe you have it figured out.) If you can't find any fragments, check for small depressions in the ground where an old pole could have been at one time, that has since rotted away, leaving a hole which may be partially filled in with dirt. Poke your "digger" handle into any holes or suspicious looking places. If it goes down three or four feet, you might have a "pole hole". Some early line builders placed stones and rocks at the base of the pole to help reinforce it, so watch for small "stone rings". If you have a metal detector, try to locate some tie wires or spikes. There is an awful lot of scrap metal along the railroads, but you will eventually find the old "remains". Best place to use your detector is in an area where the railroad went through a rock cut or around a hillside. Use your detector where the telegraph line would have gone up the hill above the tracks. There will be very little scrap metal in a place like that. Also, if you are looking for fragments, or whole ones on the surface, one of the best places is on the steeper hillsides. There is less chance of the insulators being buried in those places because there will be less vegetation decaying over the years and covering anything, plus the fact that the surface is always changing from erosion and other factors, exposing your relics. Also remember that most line builders would put a pole just at the edge of a ravine or hillside when making crossings over them. (See drawing below.)

These are always promising spots to look at. Do some raking several yards downhill, and work your way up to where the pole probably stood. If you have really done your home work, you will know where there may have been some track "re routes" over the years. The most likely places to check are anywhere there are tunnels, very large fills, or bridges. You have to remember that most railroad lines were used quite heavily in the early days. When a new bridge was put in, or a large fill replaced a bridge, etc., they probably didn't shut the line down for several days. Instead, they kept the old track open and in use, and built a new structure several yards away. When the new one was complete, they hooked the rails into the existing track and abandoned or removed the old section. (See drawing below.) These are very good places to look.

If there has been any dozing or track upgrading on the line, the old section is usually far enough away that it didn't get disturbed. Spend some time on these sections! Pay close attention to the ground and land features to try to determine whether there has been extensive dozing on the right of way wherever you look. Fragments can be found in dozed areas, but digging areas are usually better if they haven't been "roto rooted". That's why the areas that were rerouted in later years are so appealing. There have been much fewer changes on those older, no longer used sections. 

You might want to check some of the old railroad depots or buildings (with permission, of course) where the telegraph offices once were. In many cases the line wire entered the building at the top, came through the wall into the attic, and then down through the attic floor to the telegraph operator. Many good threadless have come out of these attics. The three threadless side brackets in Figure D came out of an original NY& ERR depot three years ago. I found them still nailed to rafters where a railroad employee told me they would be. Unfortunately, another railroad employee collector had removed the glass treasures a decade earlier. But in reality, he left the rarest relic behind for me! How many other threadless side brackets have you seen from that history rich railroad?

Figure D. Threadless brackets from a NY&ERR depot (circa 1849-1851). There is evidence of the old insulators having been used on these, as the upper portion of the pin is compressed where the glass fit snugly over it.

As I write this, I'm sure there are some rare threadless waiting to be found in some old attic. (Once again this is a little different story than walkin' the tracks. Most railroad people don't get too upset with your diggin's, but attic huntin' without permission is a real no-no.)

Lines Along Roads.

 These lines, although similar in many ways to the railroad lines, can be quite a challenge. Whereas the width of the railroad right of way usually didn't change, most wagon roads important enough to have telegraph lines on them back in the early days were important enough in later years to be more heavily used and widened, and most are today paved, upgraded roadways. For that reason lines along old roads can be quite disappointing. There are, however, some old roads which were later abandoned, rerouted, or which never became one of the busy routes of modern day. These old routes can be very rewarding, as there has been very little disturbance on them over the years. In this type of hunting a metal detector will probably be your best friend. These lines are among the easiest to follow, as there are almost always some old road maps available that show the old course. 

Cross Country Routes. 

This is by far the ultimate challenge. With no road or railroad to follow, staying on course is very difficult. If you know the general location of the line, a lot of patience and serious looking can yield some clues as to where it once was. There are several things to remember. If the line ran from one town to another, or any point to another, the builders probably took the shortest (straightest) route the terrain would allow. In a fairly level area a straight line would be very logical, unless there was some reason to go off one direction or another. In knowing points a line went to, it would be easy to assume it went in a straight line between them. But keep in mind there may have been a town, fort, mine or other factor involved that you are unaware of that gave them reason to build "off course". If you have relatively good success finding "remains" in most areas and later get into a section and find no traces at all, it probably means the line was located elsewhere. But don't give up too quick on the initial probable route. Different wrecking crews may have cleaned out one area better than others. Perhaps area residents gathered poles, wire, nails, etc. in some areas, and in others did not. It all depends on the line you are looking on. After a lot of experience you usually get a "feel" for what's going on, especially if you work one line in particular most of the time. 

Close up of the Chester. It's been tied to the line wire for 117 years. The insulator could have been removed for safe transport, and tied back on after getting home, but that to me would have taken a little out of the history of the piece. So out of the bush it came, strapped to my backpack, just as you see it.

Several feet of wire was coiled on either side of the insulator after being pulled from the forest floor, covered by roots, leaves and pine needles. The green Tillotson to the left was found after its original tie wire was located. The aqua Tillotson at right and hardware shown with it has an interesting story. The spikes and tie wire were found one day. Due to the ground being frozen, it wasn't until a week later that the area could be dug, and the mint condition Tilly was found. I'm sure a gigantic horseshoe found at the site had something to do with adding some determination required for the dig. Who ways horseshoes don't bring good luck?