I accidentally posted this to the wrong folder before.

We are working to reconstruct this building and would like suggestions as to what insulators might have been used here. Also of interest would be information on who would be capable of casting replicas (appropriately marked as such, of course). Oh yes, and wood pins...does anyone still make those?

The Niles Depot was built in 1870 by the Central Pacific Railroad at an important junction along the Transcontinental Railroad which had been completed through here in 1869. Eight telegraph wires were run beneath the building's southern eave from the east end of the building to the telegraph office.

I would love to hear from experts on the subject of railroad telegraphy who could tell me how the wires might have entered the office, what the switchboard equipment would have looked like, and where it would have been mounted.

Thanks,

PS Niles is now a part of Fremont, California.