NavList:

I was recently reading an article on railroad chronometers (pocket watches I believe), and their importance in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the description it stated that they had a maximum variation of 30 seconds (approximately 4 seconds daily) per week, and a check was done weekly.

What was the check done against? Did the telegraph provide a source of exact time from a reference such as Greenwich? Did Celestial play a role? Who did the check?

I know there are many instances in literature of people setting their personal pocket watches daily to the arrival of certain trains into town.

Any references would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Doug

----------------------------------------------------------------
NavList message boards and member settings: www.fer3.com/NavList
Members may optionally receive posts by email.
To cancel email delivery, send a message to NoMail[at]fer3.com
----------------------------------------------------------------