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Letters Archives

July, 2000---Dec. 20, 2000

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SLO Memories...                                   12/20/00

Dan,

I have been wondering what happened to the old wigwag signals. I just
did a search on Google and found your site. What really surprised me was the
picture in San Luis Obispo, CA. I used to live near Orcutt Road when I
was a kid in the 50s and 60s. I remember sitting at that signal on the way
home many nights with our family. Sometime in the 60s that signal was
replaced. I guess it would have been about 1963 or so.

I started driving in 1970. I remember there was still a wigwag at the
Biddle Ranch Road crossing several miles south of Orcutt Road well into
the 70s and maybe even into the 80s. I don't remember exactly when it went
away.

Thanks for the great site!

Guy Truex
Geneva, Ohio

Donald Duke photo.
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L.A. Update...                                                      12/17/00

Hi,

Just a quick note about the endangered wig wags on Randolph St, (2) and
Gage Ave. (1). All three are still there.

Eucalyptus St. in Hawthorne still there, and working. I saw a train, at
this one.

Dave Morgan
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From a wigwag foamer...                               12/3/00

Hi Dan,

Just wanted to drop you a note expressing my deepest thanks for
your efforts in bringing to all of us your wonderful wig-wag signal site.
I am a former roundhouse worker and conductor for the Canadian Pacific,
SOO LINE div. out of St. Paul, MN., and I love those old wigwag signals.
About 20 years ago, I was traveling through Wisconsin backroads to Chicago
and I encountered some wigwags and photographed them.
When I find the photos, I will email them to you to use as you wish.
I'll have to check my route and railroad map to see just where these
may have been, I never wrote down the little towns I found them in.
Sorry about that, maybe someone will be able to figure it out if I cannot.
I don't know if they are still around or not either.  Anyway, thanks again
for a wonderful site, I am telling all my friends about it.

Sincerely,
Kevin T. Kaas

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Houston, TX wigwag...                         12/1/00

Dear Mr. Furtado,

        There exists in Houston, Texas, at least one wig-wag
crossing signal.  It is located west of downtown
Houston on Union Pacific's Terminal Subdivision
Passenger Main, which in former times belonged to
Southern Pacific.  It guards the crossing of National
Street, which leads to a private road and gate to the
north side of the tracks.  National Street crosses the
Passenger Main about 1/8 mile east of Chaney Junction,
where the Passenger Main splits from the main going to
Hardy Street Yard, while the Passenger Main itself
passes by the Amtrak station.  The wig-wag is a
Magnetic Flagman made in Los Angeles.
        I only had a brief time to check out the crossing,
and so I do not know if it is functional, as no trains
were coming through at the time.  I took a picture of
it, and I should have it available for you in
late-December or early-January.  I think that the
crossing signal has a very good chance of survival, as
the crossing is remote and probably sees very little
road traffic, and that being industrial.  If anyone is
interested in taking a look at it, they can find it by
taking Washington Avenue to National Street, which is
east of Studemont (Street, I think) and going north on
National Street.  I will try to find out if the wigwag
is functioning and maybe get a photo of it in action
come December, when I am back in Houston.

Sincerely,
Matthew Dittert

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Santa Monica Wigwag from the past...   11/24/00

Dan,

Found this wig wag shot I did in 1991 on the same branch line as the Santa
Monica wig wag shot you have on your site. The line had been abandoned at the
time of this photo and had not seen rail traffic since 1989. I got all
excited and thought that the SP got a new customer on the branch and
was going to have the service restored. I knew the signal maintainer for this
branch and asked him why they got it all spruced up just to sit there and do
nothing. His answer was "spend the money or lose the funding, besides this is
goin' in my collection"! And 3 days later it was gone! This was in such mint
condition I drug out my 4x5 to get an extra crisp shot. This was always a
hard signal to maintain due to the fact that it was right across the street
from Dorsey High School. A school not famous for their scholastic
achievements.

Steve Crise
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Hugo, Co question...                                             11/24/00

Dan,

The most recent issue of The Railroad Press magazine featured a photo
showing UP's cab units leading a business train on the old Kansas Pacific line
at Hugo, CO — with a working pair of "peach basket" wigwags, swinging away!
Unfortunately, the caption did not have a date, but two accompanying photos were
taken in 2000 and the shot look to be fairly recent, so lets hope for the best. Does
anyone know if these wigwags still exist?

Robert Carter
Birmingham, AL
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2 More wigwags spotted in So. Cal...    11/24/00

I know of two, but haven't photos for you.

1) Immediately east (very 1st street) of the PE Rialto Station in downtown Rialto.
(former PE San Bernardino mainline)  A lumber yard is still being served two blocks west and the
wigwag operates when they occasionally get a load.  Station has been a succession of restaurants and
is notable for having PE lightening bolt tiles cast into its walls.

2) At the cement plant immediately east of the San Gabriel River, also the PE San Bernardino line.
Just 150yd east of the viaduct. (now a bicycle path)

I know very little about railroads, but I'd assume both signals are the UP's these days.

John Heller, Architect

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Gardena wigwags falling fast...                    11/24/00

Hi,

I live near Gardena Ca. and up until this month there were a total of 6
wigwags operating in Gardena; 4 along Vermont ave. and 2 near 166th st.
just east of Western ave. All 4 wigwags along Vermont were taken down
in the past 2 years. 2 were just taken down this month.  So sadly only 2
wigwags(near 166th st) remain in Gardena.  There were 8 wigwags in
Gardena prior to 1985.  If you would like I could e-mail photos of the
remaining wigwags.

Ben

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Wigwag found in Missouri...                          11/10/00

As of 11/2/00, there is an active wig-wag located on the BNSF (former
AT&SF) double track main line at Camden, MO, which is about 25 miles
east of Kansas City.  There is only one signal located on the south side
of the right-of-way.  Interestingly, the mast and foundation appear to
have been renewed recently, with the original Magnetic Signal mechanism
retained.

A single track NS line (former Wabash, I think) runs parallel and
immediately south of the BNSF line at this point less than 30 ft away.  The
wig-wag protects only BNSF movements and is located between the two
railroads.

This is probably a unique situation in that the BNSF line is extremely
busy, so opportunities to see the wig-wag in operation abound.

-- Vic Grappone, Principal Engineer - Signals/CBTC - Long Island Rail
Road
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Good/Bad news from up North...         11/9/00

There is both good news and lots of bad news from Washington State.
Let's get the bitter pill over with: the double wig-wags at Granger are
gone, I checked myself. There are now flashers there. This was the last
known ex-NP wig-wag in Washington state.

Now for better news: ex-UP wig-wag found at ST. John! But before you
get too ecstatic, the wig-wag is not operational. When the rare train
does go by about twice a week (sporadic schedule) they have to flag the
crossing. They (PCC railroad) have no plans on fixing it.

The wig-wag at pullman is also flagged when it is crossed. The
railroad claims it does not operate very well and or reliably. However,
when my friend Marc Entze videoed it last month it was operating fine.
Both wig-wags are not expected to last much longer.

Camron Settlemier

Also, see the new additions to the Washington State page.
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Another wigwag found in Illinois...   11/5/00

I recently was searching your fine web site and noticed you have not
listed the old ICRR wig wag still in daily use on Fourth Street in
Marion, Illinois.  The Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad has reinstalled
this old signal on a new supporting pole and it is in daily use.  This
signal originally stood on Division Street in Carterville, Illinois
when the Illinois Central still ran through town.  The only modification to
the signal is that a metal grate has been placed in front of the lens
when it hangs while inoperative.  This was done to keep the juvenile
delinquents from knocking out the red lens.  It lights and swings like
normal when activated.

I am trying to get some pictures made to send you of this wig wag.  The
CO&E is a class III shortline common carrier railroad.  There is no
danger of this signal being taken down anytime soon.  It now stands at
its second location on the CO&E.  It was originally installed at
Russell street.  signal faces the north, as it did when it stood at russell st.

Hope you find this to be a worthy addition to your list.

Edward Bridges
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Next Time you're in San Juan Capistrano...   1/5/00

Howdy,

The wig wags at the depot restaurant were removed from the Verdugo St.
crossing (in front of the depot) when the city closed the street to
through traffic and the building was remodeled into a restaurant. The
other one is inside the bar and both are operational. Stop in for a
burger and ask the bar tender to light 'em up.

Ron Weber
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Fallen Flagman...Gardena...                            10/17/00

Sad, really.  I was on my way to a job this morning in Gardena and went down
Vermont since it was "convenient".  The wig-wag at the intersection of
Vermont and 164th St. is gone.  It has been replaced with a large cantilever
style of flashers.  Sad, with how little traffic this line see's, this much
protection would be necessary.

Paul Krot

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Two more in L.A. (?)...                                      10/10/00

Hi Dan,

I sent an E-mail to you about the wig wag at 49th Street, on the BNSF. It
looks like somebody beat me, by one day. I found two more wig wags today.
I guess that I got lucky.

#1 is on the on the U.P. (ex P.E.Ry) at Wingfoot. It is at the
intersection of Hooper Avenue, and Gage Avenue, in South-Central Los
Angeles. (not a great area) It is mounted on a wooden pole, that used to
support the P.E.Ry. trolley wire. This line has been out of service, for
several years. The track is so bad that it is not usable, at this location.

#2 is on the U.P. (ex P.E.Ry) La Habra Branch, also in South Central Los
Angeles. (less than one mile from the wig wag shown above) It is at the
intersection of Randolph Street and Wilmington Avenue. It is also on a
wooden pole, that formerly supported trolley wire. P.E.Ry. did that a
lot. According to U.P.R.R. personal that are working in the area, it is
endangered.

According to the U.P.R.R. personnel, the wig wag at Randolph and Gifford
is also in danger. The U.P.R.R. is making major track improvements, in
this area. It is apparently being upgraded, for increased freight
service.

I hope that this is of some help to you

Dave Morgan

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From a wigwag fan...                                            10/4/00

I couldn't believe my eyes when I idly typed "wig wag" into Google and was
presented with your site.  I had absolutely no idea that there was anybody besides
me in the world that loved the little things.  I can scarcely remember having so much
fun as I clicked frantically through the treasures.  Of course, as you point out,
I didn't come close to exhausting the resources.  What a wonderful thing.
I will return repeatedly.

I was brought up in the 1940's in a house right next to the Santa Fe Garfield Street
wigwag in Pasadena, which was located at the top of the big grade and was
thus a very noisy place indeed in steam days.  I always loved that wigwag and will
always love the genre.  Thanks for your beautiful and loving site.

Bob Burket
Santa Monica, California
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Wisconsin wigwag update...                             10/1/00

Dan,

Both Wigwags at Lyons, WI on the old Milwaukee Road have been
removed by a private collector from Minnesota. The rails are being pulled
and the line is becoming a bike path.

Bob Bray
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2 More wigwags gone...                                      9/26/00

Wig wags (two) have been removed as of 9/18/00. This was on the same
line that runs thru Gardena, so I assume they were originally Pacific Electric.
The Thomas Guide (1997) shows this area to be Rosewood. Enjoying your
site immensely.

Art
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Central Cal. Update...                                          9/19/00

What a great job you have done with this site. First Class all the way!

Some news about the Coalinga branch...

The State of California along with several of the cities along the rail
line have been working on securing funds to upgrade the trackage so that
heavier railcars and faster schedules could be provided for existing and future
shippers. I believe it is a 16 million dollar grant and it will be used
to overhaul trackage and signals .... so it looks like this line will
start receiving upgrades starting next year. This sounds like a good thing
for the SJRR ,the environment and the communities along the old Coalinga Branch
but it many mean the end of the wigwags in Hanford and Lemoore. I'll try to
find more info and keep you updated. There is even some talk of
commuter/feeder rail on the line!

Just an update.
oh.. all other signals in area doing just fine!

Ernest Sanchez
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More stuff from Wisconsin...                            9/14/00

I promised you a photo of a working wigwag in Brodhead, WI. It is
located 1 block West of Rt. 11, in downtown Brodhead. Attached is the photo. It
was taken 4/24/99. I mentioned in my previous email that Lima Center, WI has a wigwag
also. I saw in a newsgroup today that it is still there, but is blocked by a
new crossbuck put up by the Wisconsin Southern RR.
Also, I've discovered that the West Chicago, IL Fire Dept. has a
WORKING wigwag in front of their downtown station(W. Chgo has a rich RR
history). I've been told that the wigwag comes on when they get a call, to help
alert passing motorists to stop. If you would like it some time, I'll
get a photo of their wigwag.

(more on Brodhead here)

Enjoy
Dave Long
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2 more found in Illinois...                                        9/9/00

Checked on two wig wags left in my area the other night. Alton Illinois
there are two still standing, one is on 11th street at the intersection of
Broadway and one more is a block east of here, sorry no street sign. The line
in question is the UP branch to serve ConAgra in downtown. Currently my
information is they run three times a week to switch and its between
11:00pm and 3:00am, will let you know if anything changes and may have to pay
off train crew to pose for a night shot..............

Randy Allard
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More Wigwags in Wisconsin...                             9/2/00

Just found your web site. I have a couple Wisconsin additions, if
someone hasn't already notified you.

1) The October Railfan & Railroad(Pg 34 story on WSOR) shows one at
Lima Center, WI.

2) Brodhead, WI has a set 1 Block west of their main street(can't
remember the name - it's actually a number I believe) This was still
working as of 4/30/00 when I was there. If you wish, I could get a
photo made from my slide and scan it to send you.

Dave
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Ukiah Update...                                                                   8/28/00

Dan --

The Ukiah wigwag is located on Hollow Tree Rd., just off N. State St.
Look for the entrance to Mendocino Wood Specialties.  It still existed as of
June 2000, when I happened to pass by the area on vacation.  The wigwag was
in good shape, but the track looked more like a garden than a railroad
right-of-way.

Great site!

-- Mitchell Myjak
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Indiana Wigwags from the Past...                      8/28/00

Hello Dan!

Linked over from The Signal Box in search of more interlocking tower photos.
Towers like the wig-wag signals are a vanishing breed,
I have some in-svc photos of the wig-wag signal once located in Uniondale IN
and guarded the Erie(EL) R.R. hwy crossing thru that town.
It was taken out of svc in very late70's, and installed along w/sizable amount of other R.R.
artifacts including some rolling stock on grounds of Back Forty Restaurant in Decatur IN.  It
remains there at present time.
In svc photos are of signal itself(no passing trains,etc) and were taken 6/73.
If you wish me to scan these photos, please e-mail.

Take care!  Terry
Looking forward to adding those pictures! -DF
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Hugo (Three Pines Rd), Oregon Update...         8/23/00

The style B case that controlled the wigwag for Three Pines Rd. was
removed on Thursday August 17. The new double door case, as seen at
http://www.alpharail.simplenet.com/signals/threepines/threepines.htm,
is now in complete control of the wigwag. I'm sure in the recent
future Mr. Tuttle will have pictures of the removal of the style B
on the same page. The gates that will be installed in place of the
wigwag won't be available until the spring of 2001. This is due to
the closing of the crossing at Shannon Lane when the construction for
a new crossing begins, which is scheduled for the spring. The gates
and lites from Shannon Lane will be installed at Three Pines Rd.
That means there is still one more winter left for the wigwag. By the
way, the banner was struck recently and has quite a wowie in it now.

Rick Perry (Xingman)
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New discovery in Canada...                                          8/19/00

Hi

I have recently been railfanning along the old CN CASO sub in Southern
Ontario, Canada. The two wigwags listed on your page for Yarmouth and Tilbury are still
in existence. However, a new set of Wigwags was discovered on a seldom used country
road between the villages of Springfield, Ontario and Tillsonburg.
I unfortunately did not write down the mileage, but this crossing is
located about 10 miles east of the Yarmouth Crossing.

I will get a photo and mileage if you so wish

Brad N. and Derek B.
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More from New Mexico...                                             8/18/00

Hello Dan,

Both wig wags mentioned in the New Mexico section of your esteemed web site
are still standing and in operation.  I just returned to Texas from some vacation time
in that beautiful state and as of 8/12/00 this info is good.  The one between San Felipe
and Santa Domingo pueblos as seen in Eric Scmelz's great photo, is out of the way
to say the least....some 6 miles of washboard road will jar your posterior.  The wig
wag in Wagon Mound is much easier to see...just a couple of blocks off I-25. Now...
the Signal Maintainer was working on the highway flasher just a block away from the
venerable wig wag, and he told me it may be gone within the year....headed for the
Museum of Transportation...in San Antonio....just 40 scant miles from my home here
in Boerne.   Better check out that Wagon Mound NM wig wag soon...and get a
glimpse of the semaphore signals at that same site as an added bonus!

Lou Houck
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Oakdale safe...(for now)                                                       8/18/00

Dear Dan:

Just a vote of reassurance.  The Wig Wag in Oakdale is very secure.  It is on the old SP line,
now owned privately by the A.L. Gilbert Feed company.  The owner is apparently a very avid railroad
enthusist since he also owns an old SP caboose, and a Santa Fe Observation car, both spotted on his
private track there.  The road that was under construction is now complete and the Wig Wag very intact.

Mike Davis
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Texas Update...                                                                       8/2/00

Hello Dan,

Just got back from a train chasing trip to Waxahachie here in the Great state of Texas.
Those two wig wag mechs documented under the Texas area of your most excellent web site
are still there, hanging above the street in the heart of the city.  No banners, however.  I have
pix to process, and will attempt to forward them to you soon.  Conversation with the very cordial
signal maintainer indicated those mechs may be headed for a museum.  By the way, the
railroad museum at Ennis Texas (just 14 short miles from Waxahachie) has a wig wag mech
and mast on the ground, waiting for restoration!

Thanks for a great web site!

Lou Houck
Boerne, TX

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Pittsburg, CA wigwag may be endangered...   7/25/00

Dear Dan:

Travelled around the bay the other day.  The Martinez wig wag is still in place,
and there appears to be no further progress in installing the new crossing gates,
only one pole in and the other foundation is empty.  The Pittsburg wig wag is still
present, but the stree it protected appears to be no more.  They are putting in a new
road that eliminates this crossing.

Thanks,
Mike Davis
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Indiana/Wisconsin/Tennesse Update...   7/25/00

Just came back from a trip to Indiana and Wisconsin. Went to see some places in
Waukesha, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac, WI that had wigwags on my previous visit
there about five years ago. All were gone, mainly due to abandonment of their tracks.

Ten former C&NW wigwags were removed along with a line from Waukesha due
east into Milwaukee, including one intersection where the tracks angled through
which featured four wigwags. The line is partially a trail now.

In "Fondy," a WC (ex-C&NW) line which featured four wigwags was partially pulled up —
modern flashers still guard some of the crossings, even though tracks are
gone. It took a visit to your site to find out the fate of the wigwags — I'm 99.9% sure
they're the ones being auctioned off for the school in Fond du Lac!

In Oshkosh, a pair of wigwags guarding the WC (ex-C&NW) main line crossing
over U.S. 43 just south of downtown was replaced by modern flashers and gates.
Another oddball wigwag — it had a rust-colored controller box above the banner
which didn't resemble anything I've ever seen — came out along with its tracks,
the famous Division Street line with its street running, running through backyards
and also its Griwold turning-stop-sign signals.

However, coming back through Tennessee, I decided to visit a place where I had seen
a wigwag some years ago. It was the town of Lynnville, which is a small
hamlet on the western line of the former Louisville and Nashville route from Nashville to
Birmingham. (This route actually had two lines which diverged south of the
L&N Radnor Yard and joined together again at Athens, AL. The eastern line remains
a CSX main line, while the other is mostly operated by Tennesse Southern
Railroad, with some parts abandoned.) Alas, the wigwag was gone, but not very far!
It seems that the city has turned its former depot into a museum, complete
with a dead steamer painted for the "Lynville Railroad" (never was such a line),
a coach painted green for the old Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway
(odd, since the NC&StL never went near the town), a flat car and a red L&N caboose.
Just in front of the steamer on the display track was the wigwag, about 25
yards from the crossing where it worked for many years! For some reason, the signal
is placed perpindicular to the track instead of parallel to it — if the steamer
were to ever move forward (not likely, given its condition), it would clip the banner.
The banner design is interesting, too — it is a bullseye deign with two red
concentric rings around the light on a white background. I think it originally had a
single black ring around it, as was the case with most L&N wigwags, or at least
those I remember seeing in Gadsden and Oneonta, AL and Carlisle, KY.

The Lynnville Railroad Museum is located in downtown Lynnville, adjacent to the
TN Hwy. 179 crossing of the Tennessee Southern tracks. The wigwag is outside
the museum's fenced-off area and accessible at any time. Alas, I didn't have a
working camera with me — maybe next time.

Robert Carter
Birmingham, AL
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New Mexico Update...                                    7/23/00

Wigwag at Bond Street grade crossing in WAGON MOUND, NEW MEXICO
(Ex-AT&SF Colorado Division, MP 725.3) is still working proudly as of July 5,
2000.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I do believe this is the last wigwag
working on a Class 1 railroad MAINLINE where mainline trains still pass by.  (All
others I have seen on lists appear to be branch or secondary or short
lines....)

What also makes this one wigwag unique is that the wigwag is directly
in front of a semaphore.  Very nice mainline action pictures can be taken
here with both wigwag AND semaphore action, including both BNSF and
AMTRAK!!!!

Photo taken July 5, 2000.
Photo by MARK W. DOBRONSKI, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Actually there are several still serving main lines, including the UPRR California Coast Line (4), The BNSF line through
Pittsburg, Ca. And the UPRR in Martinez Ca. (sees several Amtrak trains a day). -DF
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Coast Line Update...                                        7/22/00

Dan,

There have been no wigwags in San Luis Obispo county since about
1990. The last one was at 12th Street in Paso Robles. It was removed after an Amtrak
train hit a car and killed a person in the early 1990's. The last wigwag in San
Luis Obispo county was at Biddle Ranch Road just south of San Luis Obispo and was
removed in 1977-78 when the crossing was upgraded. I don't know anything about
2 wigwags from Atascadero, or them going to the SLO County railroad museum and I
grew up here!! I remember wigwags in Paso Robles and Guadalupe while growing
up, but not Atascadero. As for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, I have been along
most of their right of way and they didn't have any wigwags that I saw either. Please
check and confirm the facts, as I doubt their recent existance. I went into
engine service in 1989 with my second trip as a fireman down the coast,
and the ONLY SLO County wigwag was 12th Street, Paso Robles.
Do let me know what you find.

Denny Dollahon. (Amtrak engineer and wigwag fan)
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You forgot some Wigwags...                     7/19/00

Hey Dan,

First off great site! I've learned alot of interesting facts. Also,
you have not included Central California around San Luis Obispo and
Santa Barbara Counties.

In San Luis Obispo County... Atascadero to be exact, there used to
be two wigwags protecting 2 railroad crossings on Highway 41. I say
used to be...they have been donated to the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum.

In Santa Barbara County... Santa Maria to be exact, there were a
couple of wigwags along the Santa Maria Valley Railroad... this is
unconfirmed... I was just told of their existance... they're suppost to
be SP Standard Wigwags.

Also, I seem to recall that there are still a few in Fillmore &
Western territory. At least it's worth investigating.

Sincerely,
Anthony Pinkerton

I did? No way! Please send some pictures and I'll gladly add them.
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Info on Hawthorn Wigwag...                          7/18/00

Hawthorne is on the former Pacific Electric El Segundo
Branch. Before pipelines, it saw heavy oil train
traffic from the Standard Oil of California El Segundo
refiney. Some tank car and lumber traffic still
travels through Hawthorne and past the Wig-Wags there
on the way to the end of the branch.

Bob Allessi
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