[?]

Dan,

Six years ago I had the good fortune to come across an old wig-wag for sale.  I got it for $250, and when I began its restoration
I discoverd a builder's plate inside the mechanism case which stated the required power was 600 VDC.  This told me that it was  from the Pacific
Electric, which powered its wig-wags from the overhead trolley lines. Of course, the electromagnets had been converted to run on 8 to 12 VDC
after all the catenary had been removed and diesels took over.  The banner was also an original, having no rubber hose on the pipe, and glass lenses
(later banners had plastic ones) with embossed printing on the edges which said "Manufactured by Corning for the Magnetic Signal Company."  I had a lot
of fun restoring and repainting my wig-wag and put it on display in my den. Recently I sold it to another collector who paid me many times what I paid
for it and put into it in the restoration.  I regret that now, however, after discovering that these signals are not as easily obtainable as they were even
a few years ago.

I bought mine from a former Southern Pacific signal maintainer who managed to "rescue" about five of  them from the scrap heap.  He told
me they were all from the former Pacific Electric lines in Orange County, but he had no idea the exact location mine came from.

I know of at least two more operating wig-wags on display in the Southern California area.  One is at the Los Angeles Live Steamers track where they operate 1/8
scale live steam on the weekends.  This is located in Griffith Park, and it is an upper quadrant type complete with relay-case base.  It was donated to them by
the LA Junction Railway.  The other one is at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona at the railroad museum there.  It was donated by
the Union Pacific and is complete with relay case base--it is the standard lower quadrant type.  Both of these  signals are in good shape and were
operating the last time I saw them.  The one at LA Live Steamers is tied into the track and activates every time a train crosses the driveway enterance to the
club. The one at Pomona is on a  timer when the museum is open and comes on for about 30 seconds every three minutes or so. Also, the California
State Railroad Museum in Sacremento has a Southern Pacific style wig-wag right by the enterance.  It is well maintained and is on a timer similar to
the one in Pomona.  In addition, there is an old Griswold flasher/rotating stop sign-type crossing signal, and an upper quadrant semaphore.  These
signals also operate. However, I have found on some of my visits there that they don't turn the timers on---one explanation is that the noise of
the bells bothers the neighbors!   The last time I was there they were filming a TV movie in nearby Old Town and the production company requested that
they be turned off for that reason.

I was born and raised in Southern California and am old enough to remember when most of the crossings
around here were protected by wig-wags.  Only the busiest streets had gates and flashers. I remember well the old P.E. wigwags mounted on wooden
poles----I can still remember a few "Red Cars" running through my grandmother's neighborhood when I was very young.  I am really glad that you are
getting this website going and that there are people interested in preserving these interesting and somewhat charming old signals.  Keep up the good
work---I am telling all my railroadiana-collecting friends about this site--love the animated pictures, too.

Dave White

Orange, CA

Check out the Museum Wigwags section for more info on the Pomona wigwag mentioned above.
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Colorado Railroad Museum Wigwag...                             9/27/99

Hello:

The Colorado Railroad Museum has a Wig-Wag installed at the entrance to the museum, where the main track crosses the driveway.
It's supposed to be restored to operation to guard the crossing.  I don't know where it came from.
--
Dave Pitts

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This site reviewed in Railway Preservation News!... 9/25/99

Dan:

Did a site review on your page.  You will find it at http://www.rypn.org/Briefs/September1999/990924.htm

Thanks,

Hume Kading

Check out Railway Preservation News at:
http://www.rypn.org/

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More Coast Line Wigwags...                     9/25/99

Great site! A couple more for the Coast Line.  There is still an operating wigwag at Depot Road, just east of the old Goleta Depot
location.  In addition, the Depot was moved to a nearby county park and restored as part of the South Coast Railroad Museum.  They have an
operating wig wag between the SP bay window caboose and the depot. They have a web site but no pictures of the wig wag.

I live about a mile from the Santa Claus wig wag and go by the Seacliff wig wag on my way to work.

I will bookmark your site so I can monitor updates.  Thanks.

Bruce Morden
Carpinteria, CA

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More in Texas...                                         9/24/99

Dan:

There is a couple of Wig-Wags in Brenhan,Tx ( there were there last year when I was there and took photos of them )
they were on a spur that goes to the BlueBell Creamery and other industries that are on the line, Let me dig up the photos and scan them ( in a couple of days )

Jessica Stacey

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Bad news from Oregon...                                         9/23/99

Dan,

I saw the following from Altamont Press Newsline. There were no rumors of this wig-wags demise. It caught me by surprise as the wig-wag
is in a quiet residential neighborhood with little traffic. I will miss it. I wonder who was the last to capture it in action. The last time I
saw it was when the 4449 went by in Feb of this year.

Camron
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Portland & Western Railroad removed a wig-wag crossing signal protecting the crossing of its Tillamook District with North Shore
Road.  The wig-wag, protecting a residential neighborhood just north of Oswego Lake within the city of Lake Oswego, was replaced
by one mast with an electronic bell, lights and flashers northbound, and two masts - one with a bell, lights and gates, and one with just
flashers.

The wig-wag was the only wig-wag signal on the Portland & Western, although sister road Willamette & Pacific owns several
wig-wags in McMinnville, Amity, and Dallas.  Two other wig-wags remain in the area on the Willamette Shores Trolley Line, which
extends from Lake Oswego to Portland on the former SP Jefferson Street Branch. -

Erik Halstead

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Wigwag Banner Replacements...              9/16/99

Hi Dan,

I went by Van Dyke Fabrication this afternoon on my way home to ask if I could purchase one of their wig wag banners.  I had a real nice conversation
with Mr. VanDyke and he said that he needs to make at least 25 at a time to keep the cost down and because the barrell part has to be rolled by another
company.  Anyway he has had several requests for banners but not enough to make another run.  I gave him my name and phone number and he will call me
when enough orders come in to make the set up worth his time.

Take care.

Jim
 

If you are looking for a wigwag banner, contact VanDyke Fabrication:
5800 Roseville Rd, unit #5
Sacramento, Ca 95842

ph# (916) 344-5221

These are the same banners that SP and several other roads use as replacements. They cost around $200.

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Bad News From Alameda Corridor...(Pt. 2)  8/30/99

I went by this morning to specifically check on the wig-wags on Alameda and Tweedy.  I'm sad to say that I visually confirmed that they are gone.  The removal was clean, they were not stolen.  The wires left hanging out had the threads scored in them where the wire nuts were removed.  Mounting bolts
were straight and intact.  That tells me they weren't run down with a front-end loader but unbolted and wires carefully separated.  I poked around a little wile eyeing piles of debris but nothing there.Area around them is starting to be dug up.  I'll have pictures for whatever good they'll do.

Sad to think that I may have been the last one to have caught them on film.

Paul Krot
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Bad News From Alameda Corridor...         8/30/99

The wig wag genocide in Los Angeles continues. Last evening, August 27th, I sojourned down Alameda and discovered the following atrocities:

The wig wags at Alameda and Tweedy have gone to wig wag heaven.

The wig wag at Alameda and Compton has also bit the dust.

With the death of these fellows, can the wig wag cleanser now have his jaundiced eye on Alameda and 55th.

Great page Dan, my man. I fondly remember growing up in the San Fernando Valley and being able to watch the wig wags at a local crossing from
the roof of our house. It was a treat to watch the old fellows clanking away and see that lonely light swinging the the cold and windy nights.

Best always

Richard Lane (actor)

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More stuff on Southern CA...                                      8/23/99

Here is some more information on wig wags in the San Berdoo - Riverside area. The two wigwags reported earlier in Colton are on the UP's
Riverside Industrial Lead or as it was known Riverside Branch (ex-SP). The one at M St. telephone pole mounted Pacific Electric style. The PE
and SP had parallel lines here and later joint track. The tracks run down the middle of 9th St at this point. The second wigwag at O St. is a typical SP wig wag with a relay box at its base. The interesting thing about this installation is that the signal is located in the southeast corner of a crossing with east-west auto traffic and north-south tracks.

The Riverside Branch has two more wig wag locations, however the track at the wig wags is red flagged and out of service. Third St in
Riverside has a single Wig Wag (without a relay box base) and Commerce St. has one wig wag (with a relay box base). This trackage is near the end of the
branch and mainly served the Riverside team track in recent time.

The BNSF operated Redlands Industrial Spur (ex AT&SF Redlands District) has two single wig wag sites. Mountain View Ave has a wig wag with the
cantilever about 2/3 up the pole and a relay box at it's base but no cross bucks or "stop when swinging" sign. Except for the lack of sign
and cross buck, it is what you would expect of a Santa Fe wig wag. The second wig wag is at Nevada St. and looks more like a SP installation.
The cantilever is at the top of the pole, no cross buck and no signs. There is no relay box at the base. While not a wig wag, there is
another interesting grade crossing signal in Redlands. At 7th St. there is a bell attached to a wood cross buck and no lights.

Glad to see a site on Wig Wags

Clifford Prather

(Dan notes)...Just got some photos of Colton wigwags...Redlans on the way soon.
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St. Helena update/Tilden Park...                     8/23/99

Dear Dan:

Just two updates.  The partial Wig Wag in St Helena was on Pratt road.  I drove by sometime back and noted that all the crossings had been updated, and this partial is now gone.  I don't know who services this line.  I didn't check with the Wine Train people, but this was at their end of track.

I believe there is a Wig Wag at the Golden Gate Live Steamers track at Tilden Park.  It was working about 1 year ago, and was activated when the club train entered the passenger loading area.  Thanks again.

Mike Davis

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Yoncalla Wigwag's Days Numbered!...                                                8/19/99

Dan,

Yoncalla has already received it's state orders to pull out.  It was supposed to be removed months ago, but we can't remove it until MOW installs
a barricade across the crossing.  It could disappear any day now.

Dole Road is in the beginning stages of being upgraded.  It still has probably over a year before it will be removed and gates and lites
installed.  This is at earliest.  It's on a curve and is really unsafe. It's in dire need of upgrading.

Rick Perry
CORP

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A wigwag Soap Opera!...                              8/19/99

Some happy news to report on the Tolo Wig Wag.  CORP Signal Maintainer Tom Hunt, who rebuilt the Tolo Wig Wag last month, has repaired the
vandalism and the signal looks pretty darn good as the attached photo will attest.

Larry Tuttle
Alpha Rail Pages

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More Useful info on Oregon!...                               8/18/99

Hi Dan,
I too, am a wigwag enthusiast and have been delighted with the photographs and information which you have included on your web page.  You
asked about Oregon wig-wags, especially those on the CORP.  I am "certain" that there are eight of them: Hornbrook, Ashland, Medford, Gold Ray Dam,
Hugo, Dole, and Yoncalla.  Then, out on the Coos Bay branch, eastward from Reedsport, on Thornton Oar Road, is one more.  Does this list check with
yours?  I have photos of all of these, and would be pleased to share them with you if you would like.

Additionally, there are other wigwags in Oregon that you may already know about.  There is one in Lebanon, just north of town, two at Dallas, one in
Amity, three in McMinnville, and four or five on the Jefferson Street branch that runs south of Portland to Lake Oswego.  One of the signals has
been magnificently restored with a red target and the word "stop" painted in white around the top of the target.  It is just a jewel!  While I have
pictures of all of these signals, I don't yet have a picture of the restored target.

Klamath Falls had several wigwags until very recently.  One was located on LaVerne Avenue at the westward end of the Klamath Falls yard, and
another was on Malone Road near Merrill, OR (southeast of Klamath Falls). Additionally, there were two wigwags on Tingley Lane until a couple of years ago, and two more at Portland Street, in Klamath Falls, until November of 1994.

You have mentioned the "museum" wigwag at Carlton.  I am aware of another non-operating wig-wag: the one at Glendale, OR which is in front of the
beautifully restored Glendale station. Hope that this is of interest to you.  Let's stay in touch on this interesting subject.

Best regards.
Lars.

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More wigwags in Oregon and Washington...                   8/18/99

Love the site. There is one more active wigwag in Oregon: in Lake Oswego on the Portland and Western. Classic SP style, all still there.

BTW, there are three, not four wigwags on the Willamette Shore Trolley. They all look like orignal SP, though two have the banner painted yellow
with the words "Trolly Xing" in Red on the banner. The Willamette Shore Trolley is an ex-SP line.

There are three wigwags on the BNSF Granger line in Washington State. There are also rumors of an active wigwag somewhere in the Puget Sound
area on an ex-NP line.

Camron Settlemier

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Wigwags found in Colton...                    8/18/99

Dan,

Still see you are missing the picture of the Colton wigwag.  Went out that way to take some train photos, and took a picture of the signal at
9th and M.  Then to my surprise, went south two blocks to 9th and O, and found another one.  As soon as I get the slides developed, I will let
you know and try to get my sister to scan them and then email them to you so you may add them to the page.

David

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Oregon museum looking for a wigwag...

Dan,

Train Mountain is a 1/8 scale miniature railroad in Chiloquin, OR. We are looking for a wigwag to restore and place in operation at the
museum. If you hear of any coming up to be removed from service, keep us in mind or advise who to contact. Fortunately several still exist in
Oregon, just have to find the right person who believes in preservation to help. I am a member of train mountain and delivered several sets of newer
lights to them this summer, but nothing compares to the wigwags.

Steve Panzik

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Wigwag Parts Source                                8/12/99

Dear Dan:

I was at a railroad collectors meet in anaheim about 1 week ago.  Interesting, found a fellow who is making wigwag parts. He states they are casting from original wigwags.  Contact him at HIH PO Box 335,  San Gabriel CA  92778   (626)  281-7500.  Great Site.  I currently was given a target, I am looking for a motor.

Thanks for a great site.

Mike Davis

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More in Los Angeles...(Detailed Update)      8/9/99

Hello again, Dan!

Here's some more specific details on the Alameda Street wigwags working from South to North ...

1.  One upright at Alameda Street & Compton Blvd, on the South side of Compton Blvd, just East of Alameda, in the city of Compton!
2.  One upright at Alameda Street & Tweedy Blvd, on the East side of Alameda Street, just South of Tweedy, in the city of South Gate.
2 1/2.  One partial upright on the West side of Alameda, across from #2. Only the pole & motor box remain.
3.  One upright at Alameda Street & 52nd (or maybe 51st) Street, on the South side of 52nd (51st?), just East of Alameda in the city of Vernon.

I've seen #1 & #3 in action.  #2 is in rather poor condition and guards (along with its wounded brother) what appears to be an unused spur-line that
cross Alameda.

Haven't found the pictures for the vanished wigwag at Alameda & Dominguez Street.  That one was on the North side of Dominguez, just west of Alameda
in an unincorporated part of the county (near the city of Carson).  That one was suspended from a wooden power pole.

I'll give you a shout when the pictures show up.

Thanks again for a great site.

Glen Norman
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