With the recent posting about trackers I thought this might be
interesting.  On the Ludwig action I am rebuilding there are two small
pneumatics attached to the back of the spool box.  These are spring
loaded and connected to the tracker fingers by a string.  On rewind
the springs pull the fingers away from the roll.  The pneumatics are
connected to exhaust when in play to let the tracker engage the edge
of the paper and work normally.

I work as a full-time fireman here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and on
occasion I take some of the stuff to work, for restoration.  The guys
at work are always amazed by the preciseness of the early craftsman.
We get involved in something to talk about.  Not to mention labor costs
in the early part of the century.

Eddie Fulmer

 [ Have you played "Midnight Fire Alarm" for the firehouse gang?  :-)
 [ It's a classic "Barn-Burner" two-step, composed by E. T. Paull.
 [  -- Robbie