A Griswold mechanical stop signal in Minneapolis. Nick Benson MINNEAPOLIS — The last mechanically operable stop signs on a Griswold crossing signal were removed in late October, having protected a BNSF Railway grade crossing in northeast Minneapolis, just 2.5 miles from where they were manufactured by the Griswold Signal Company. While the stop signs are […]
MERIDEN, Conn. — On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that Connecticut would become the first state in New England to install automated horn systems, commonly known as wayside horns, at various rail at-grade crossings. Installed as part of the department’s noise mitigation efforts along the CTrail Hartford Line, the first horn became operational […]
The former Baltimore & Ohio tower at Keyser, W.Va., seen here in 2004 under CSX ownership, was a classic “armstrong” mechanical interlocking plant. The pipes travel along the tracks, where levers and cranks transfer the motion to switches, locks, and derails. Concrete pedestals support the pipe lines and other hardware. Historic American Engineering Record photo […]
An eastbound Napoleon, Defiance & Western train passes the new crossing gates at Scott Street in Napoleon, Ohio, on Oct. 19, 2014. The new grade crossing protection is arguably the newest equipment of any kind on this short line. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]
A less common crossing signal warned motorists of oncoming trains by blinking “stop.” Kevin King Q As a child in the 1950s and 1960s, I saw a number of railroad grade crossings on the Wabash that were protected by a row of vertical lights on the signal mast in addition to the standard red alternating […]
A southbound Norfolk Southern freight takes the clear signal at South Leesburg, Ind., on May 16, 2011. The former New York Central branch line was upgraded with Pennsylvania-style position light signals recycled from other routes during Penn Central ownership. Photo by Bob Jordan […]
A northbound Norfolk Southern freight passes the unique siding switch and signals at North Leesburg, Ind., on March 24, 2011. The Santa Fe-painted locomotive is a run-through from BNSF Railway. Photo by Bob Jordan […]
A northbound Norfolk Southern train enters the street running at Warsaw, Ind., on March 24, 2011. The signal guards the crossing of the former Pennsylvania Railroad main line, now the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern. The former New York Central branch line was upgraded with Pennsylvania-style position light signals recycled from other routes during […]
Marc Horovitz Hand-held remote throttle Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC) 80 Newfield Avenue Edison NJ 08837 Price: $42.98 Website: www.modelrectifier.com Hand-held walk-around throttle (#0001325) to be used with MRC 9900 and 9950 powerpacks. Dimensions: length, 41/2″; width, 23⁄8″; thickness, 7⁄8″. Weight (not including cord), 2 1/2 oz. Pros: Lightweight, hand-held device gives walk-around capability for controlling […]
Wigwag signals protect a highway crossing in Baraboo, Wis., for the last time on Monday, March 28. When a Wisconsin & Southern train passed the crossing the next day, the signals were inactive. Crews took down the signals later that day on March 29. John Gruber A pair of rare, former Chicago & North Western […]
Norfolk Southern SD60 No. 6704 emerges westbound from Elkhorn Tunnel on the Pocahontas main line in West Virginia on Dec. 19, 2008. Photo by Grady McKinley […]
CSX Transportation C40-8 No. 7572 pounds the diamonds in Marion, Ohio, on Oct. 19, 2014. In the distance is the former Erie Railroad yard, now used by CSX; at left is Marion Union Station, now a museum. Photo by Brian Schmidt […]
