The Ridgway Spark Arrestor - also known as "bear trap" spark arrestors" - were a unique design by H.W. Ridgway, the C&S? Superintendent of Motive Power. They were first designed around 1917-1918, and were patented on 16 Aug 1921 as US Patent #1439262.

The Ridgway arrestor became standard equipment on the C&S? narrow gauge lines, and was even fitted to D&RGW C-19s 343, 345, and 346 when they were leased to the C&S? in 1936.

The nickname "bear trap" was never used by the railroad itself, but was coined by notable railfan Lucius Beebe.

Categories: Glossary