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Letters Archives

Jan, 2001---Dec. 30, 2001

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CB&Q Wigwags, etc...                     12/30/01

Hello,

I just discovered your site.  Excellent work!!
I have always noticed wig-wags and tried to photograph them here in Nebraska.
Unfortunately most were photographed with trains and so are filed away in my somewhat large and
disorganized slide collection.  If I run across any good shots I will pass them along.
The BN (CB&Q) had some on their branchlines, however most of these lines are now abandoned.
One I can recall was at Table Rock Neb. on the Table Rock to Wymore line.  It was downtown.  However this
line is now out of service and may be scrapped or sold soon.  There also was a very weird one located at Superior
Neb.  Its heritage was somewhat mixed as it protected a crossing once crossed by CB&Q, C&NW and ATSF !!
I do have pictures of this one in action, however it was definitely replaced sometime this year.
Also there were a couple of wig-wags on the former remnant of the C&NW "Cowboy Line" now operated by DM&E and
Nebkota Railway.  I will probably be up there in the spring so can check on those.
Now that I am aware of your site, I will pass along any info/pictures I run across.
I like the California coverage, I lived in the LA area (Whittier) in the 80's and remember the PE/SP wigwags and there
was even one on the UPRR Anaheim branch on a residential street.  I understand this line is gone now.
Thanks,

Mike Foley
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Museum wigwag in Canada...               12/30/01

Hello Dan;

    You might wnat to add the one at Heritage Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to your
list of museum wigwags.  It has been operating there for at least 20 years!!

Ken Lane
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Michigan wigwag info...                        12/9/01

The wig wag in Durand, Michigan has to be part of the Durand
Railroaders Display. You probably need to contact someone associated with the
Durand Depot for more pertinent info.

Their is a wig-wag in private hands nears Smiths Creek, Michigan, on
Rattle Runn road. The Wig-wag came from the town of Leonard, on the GTW's
former Cass City Subdivision, and was removed in the 1970's. The gentleman
that has it had it and other railroad items in his front yard for many years. He
lives on Rattle Run Road. If you give a bit of time, I might be able to get
a digital image of it for you.

Hope this helps,

TJ Gaffney
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New signal pages link...                                 11/18/01

Hello....

I "discovered" the two fine wig-wags in Colton, California, recently
while on a business trip.  They are now on my site, starting at

http://members.home.net/pugopolis/sp_co_pe_ww1.html

There are 5 pages devoted to them.  At the last page I put another link
to your site (there was already one on my links page, but wig-wags are
so cool that I felt compelled to directly cross-reference).

Keep up your site...I look at it often and remember the wig-wags of my
youth (in Pleasanton on the SP).

Thanks

C J Barneyback
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New Mexico's last wigwag retired...                  11/15/01

DAN:

I regret to inform you that the BNSF wig wag at Bond Street in Wagon
Mound, New Mexico has been removed and replaced by AHCP gates and flashers.  I
do not know the exact date, but it was recent. I was hoping to photograph
Amtrak #4 there, but was shocked to find the wig wag gone.   The
semaphores at that location are also being readied for removal (new signals in
place but pointed perpendicular to tracks), and I am told will be cutover by
December 31, 2001.

MARK DOBRONSKI
Scottsdale, Arizona
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Point Richmond wigwags being removed...      10/24/01

I have enjoyed looking at your site. I am a Asst. Signalman with BNSF. I bring sad news though,
I am on the signal crew that is currently upgrading the Point Richmond crossing. Both wigwags
are being removed and replaced with 3 crossing mechs and cantilever flashers with electronic bells.
People have already shown their disapproval both verbally and with gestures. I'm sure BNSF
would have kept the wigwags if  the people of Point Richmond would stop for the wigwags when
the are operating. You might be glad to know that these particular wigwags are going to the California
railroad museum. Just thought I would give you an update on these wigwags.

Brent Elam
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3 More wigwags gone in L.A.                   10/3/01

Dan,

       Sadly, on 2 October 2001, I discovered that three more wigwags
have been removed.  Two were in Florence, Calif., one at Wilmington and
Gage (actually Hooper and Gage) and the other at Wilmington and
Randolph.  The third one retired was in Huntington Park (Bell), Calif.
at Randolph and Gifford.  At Hooper and Gage, the tracks have been
mostly removed from the route and only a wooden pole mounted wigwag
cantilever remains.  At Wilmington and Randolph and at Randolph and
Gifford (on the La Habra line), the wigwags have been replaced with new
sets of Harmon and WRRS crossing flashers and gates.  Apparently this
line has been modernized to see service soon now that there new track
laid in many areas and a bridge for it is in place across the Alameda
Corridor cut.

Charlie Bentrup
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Wigwag on display in MS...                        10/3/01

The wig wag signal that was formerly at the public crossing south of
the depot in Hazlehurst, MS is now on display in the lawn north of the
depot along with an ex-Illinois Central caboose.  This is an ex-Illinois
Central line now run by Canadian National.

Richard Spencer
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Roseburg, Indiana update...                          9/15/01

Hi,

My wife, stepdaughter, and I travelled to Roseburg, IN today to check
out the double wigwag (I came across your website the other day and saw
it there).  It is still up and looks good.

Your website said it is located in Roseburg "Exact location unknown."
Well, it is on IN county road 300 W.  300 W is the only road that I
know
of which runs north and south through Roseburg (we didn't drive into
"town"); you can't miss it.  If someone is travelling on US35, they'd
want to go north on CR 300 W (maybe 3 miles or so).  Or if they are
travelling north up IN State 37 (or 9), they'd want to turn left (west)
on 50th Street (this is just south of Marion, IN), which is also county
road 300 S.  About 1.75 miles west CR 300 S intersects CR 300 W; turn
right (north).  The crossing will be about 1 mile.

Hope this helps anyone who might be looking for it.

Thanks for the website.

Greg Borgwald
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McMinnville Wigwags are History...             8/16/01

Dan,

Just thought I'd drop a line to you - I received word a few days ago
that all three of the wig-wags in McMinnville have fallen and the new gates are
in operation.  No pictures of the aftermath without the wig-wags...it will
certainly be different when I return to my hometown.

As for the picture of the wig-wag in Timber by Camron Settlemier - one
interesting tidbit is in the first picture (with the fire "station"
across the street - that concrete wall to the left of the firehall which appears
to be a retaining wall was actually the back wall of the old roundhouse that
was there until the 1940s.  If you look to the left of the view you can still see
the concrete floor and where the rails laid, but mostly it's taken over by
weeds and gravel.  This is the only structual remainder of the roundhouse
there - three stalls, and although called a roundhouse it had a three-way wye
switch. Pictures of this can be found in the book "The Southern Pacific in Oregon".

I have not heard anything on the status of the remaining P&W wig-wags
in Dallas or Knappa.  The POTB wig-wags have been endangered for years, my guess
is that the POTB has higher priorities or have simply forgotten about them for
the time being.  That is most likely good news for at least the next year or
two.  With CORP taking them down slowly, the three on the Willamette Shores
Trolley line are probably going to end up the last active wig-wags in Oregon; partly
because the trolleys stop at every road crossing anyways (even those with the
wig-wag protection, because the circuit is very short).

BTW - the international wig-wags were certainly a surprise!  I hope to
see more of them shortly!

- Erik Halstead
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Lots more Wisconsin wigwags...                 7/28/01

Dan

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad has some additional wig - wags
besides the ones on your list.

-The crossing beside the old CNW depot / Div. headquarters at Baraboo WI
has 2.

-Devil's Lake State Park ( north shore of park )

-The east leg of the wye in Madison ( nearby WSOR's Johnson St. Yard )
has 2

-The crossing two blocks west of the depot in Brodhead WI also has 2
.....on the WSOR line to Monroe.

-Avoca WI on the WSOR's Prairie sub.

-Blue River WI  also on the Prairie sub.

There is also a wig - wag near Marshall WI on the Watertown sub.
(sorry I can't remember the name of the road )

The Wisconsin & Southern has no plans at this time to remove any wig -
wags. In fact the Lima Center signal was repaired after a fan stole it and
later returned it last year.

Wisconsin & Southern Engineer
Robert Eineke
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Watsonville no more...                               7/23/01

Today I went by Walker and Beach Streets in Watsonville to see which wig
wag had been knocked down.  It looks as though both of them have been
removed.  This leaves Seabright as the only one left on the Santa Cruz
Branch.   Hopefully it won't find a similar fate.  Two still see service on
the Big Trees run Olympia Branch through downtown Santa Cruz. Another
classic SP scene is history.

Brian Bergtold
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McMinnvile Wigwag almost gone...             7/15/01

Dan,

Long time no talk...  Anyways I made a trip back to Oregon last week and was
able to get some final shots of the three remaining wig-wags in McMinnville.
Unfortunately, First and Second Streets are already disabled, and the masts
turned parallel to the street.  The poles for the new signals are up but not
completely installed yet.

Fifth Street is still running but barely.  One pole is up; but the other is
still not installed.  P&W had to cut back the team track from Fourth to Fifth
Streets, apparently to make room for the signal (and besides, the track was
virtually unusable anyways).  Fortunately for me, the Mac Switcher was just
headed into town, so I was able to get some final shots of the wig-wag where I
first railfanned 10 years ago with the SP.

Erik Halstead

(More on Mcminnvile...)
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Houston update...                                     7/15/01

Dan,

Regarding the wig-wag in Houston on National Street...
As of this afternoon, it was still standing proud and doing it's duty.  My son works near
that site and when I picked him up from work today, I decided to check it out.  As luck
would have it, a train happened by and it went into action!  The new electronic "bell" installed
on top does take away from the old grandeur but it was nice to see anyway.  My son is 22 and
this was his first experience seeing one of these live and in person...I think he is hooked.
He spent at least 2 hours browsing your site and asking lots of questions!  This particular style
wig-wag was very common in Southeast Texas.  It was most commonly used by Southern Pacific.
My great grandfather worked as a switch master for Southern Pacific many years ago, so, as you
can imagine, I have heard many stories over the years!

With regard to Santa Fe history in Houston.  I have lived in Houston all my life and have always seen
Santa Fe doing business.  Many, many years ago, there was a draw bridge that crossed the Buffalo
Bayou near Downtown Houston.  It had a huge concrete counter weight mounted on top of the bridge
as opposed to the bottom.  On this counter weight was painted the great seal of the city of Houston and
the words, "Welcome to Houston, where 17 railroads meet the sea."  Needless to say, Railroads played an
important role in the development of Houston.

Jim Strickland
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International wigwags...                         7/15/01

Dear Dan

Congratulations to your really good homepage on wigwags of all kinds.
This are such exciting installations and it is very interesting to see
still some in service. For this reason my friend and I want to travel to the USA next year or
a bit later to see some of the wigwags still in service. My friend operates
to only Swiss museum dedicated on semaphores, signalboxes and signals
including level-crossing protection equipment. The reason for this letter is to tell you
that in Switzerland at one time one of the railroad companies had also wigwags in use.
It was the Swiss Southeastern Railway (SOB) which had a few level crossings protected by
wigwags some time before world-war II. Unfortunately there is just one
black & white photo available about one of this level-crossings which I will
send you as soon as my scanner is again functioning. The wigwags in use in
Switzerland have all been of the US&S type, just with German indication,
like as "Achtung auf den Zug" (Attention on the train).

Another country is still using some wigwags, and this is in South
America. Chilean State Railways EFE have several level-crossings which are still
protected by wigwags, often in conjunction with manually operated
level-crossing gates (barriers). A few of this crossings are located
South of the capital Santiago on the busy main line to Southern Chile, on
this stretch of line more than 20 suburban trains are running every day and
up to a dozen long-distance trains are passing by and a lot of freight
movements completes this traffic, so this wigwags are still very busy. I do have
one picture of such a wigwag at San Bernardo (10 miles South of Santiago),
which I will send you together as soon as my scanner will be again in
operation.

Probably there have been even more countries in which wigwags have been
in use, for example New Zealand. I will try to get more information and if I
would get I will keep you informed. You´ll hear from me again.

Sincerely yours

Samuel Rachdi, Winterthur, Switzerland
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Coleman, TX wigwags removed...              7/7/01

Dan -

The wig-wag signals on the South Orient RR south of Coleman, TX on FM
1026 are gone.  Actually, this is no longer the South Orient... the
state of Texas has purchased the line and is
now leasing the operating rights to a new operator, known as Texas
Pacifico Transportation, a division of Ferromex.

I was through Coleman today (Saturday, July 7, 2001), and I can confirm
the wig-wags have been removed.  They have been replaced with
standard-style flashers and crossbucks.  The crossing remains un-gated.
The work appeared to have taken place quite recently...
the dirt around the bases of the new crossing appliances looked like it
had just recently been dug up.

Sorry to have to provide you with this bit of bad news.

WSC
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Watsonville wigwag down...                        6/24/01

Dan I enjoy your site good job. I hate to bring bad news but one of the
wigwag's in Watsonville Cal. was knocked down on Wed. leaving only one at the
corner of Walker&Beach Rd. This is on the Santa Cruz branch. The one that was
knocked over was on the N.E. corner of the intersection. UP replaced it with
flashing lights and a bell. Thats about all the info I have now if any thing
else comes along I will let you know.

Best Regards Rick Thayer
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Michigan update...                                      6/23/01

Hi, My name is Rob and there is a current operating wigwag in Michigan. It
is on the Central Michigan Railway, west of Durand just west of Vernon
Michigan.  It was last there a year ago, although I don't have a photo- just
video.  It is on Parmenter Rd. one mile west of the North/south running
Vernon Rd., you cross a cast iron bridge over the shiawassee river before you
come to it although when I was there the bridge was closed to vehicular
traffic, but i made it across on my motorcycle! Ha!  it is south of m-71. I
hope it's still there. just an update.  you can also get to it from the west
by turning south onto Geeck Rd off of m-71 and follow it1/4 mile till it
turns east and you run right into it.

Just an update for you. thanks
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Way cool signal collection in Wisconsin!...    6/22/01

Hello,

I really enjoy your wigwag web site.  I friend of mine is a very good source of wigwag
information.  His name is Paul Knutson and he has (at least) 5 operating wigwag signals in his yard!
I created a web page detailing his railroad signals.

He even has an operational Griswold rotating sign signal!!  The link to this page is:

http://www.whrc-wi.org/Signals/paul_sig1a.htm

I will be working with Paul to get you more photos and stories.  I know he has a ton of them.
Let me know what you think of his collection!

Jim Kalrath
Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co
http://www.wsorrailroad.com
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More info on Houston wigwag...               6/22/01

The Wig Wag in Houston on the UP, is on the former SP main line of the
T&NO.  It is, as noted on the current passenger line, and is not too
far West of the Amtrak Station.
This has always been SP property (never ATSF).  The similar Wig Wag at
the Gulf Coast RR Museum, 7390 Mesa Rd., is the same heritage, having
been acquired from the SP.  Both are still working.
There are (or at least were 3 years ago) numerous Wig Wags of the same
type on the old SP Sunset line through Louisiana, East of Lake Charles
toward Lafayette.  This line is now owned by the BNSF.  Maybe you know
a railfan in Louisiana who could check them out.

Paul DeVerter
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Joplin, MO. Wigwag (?)...                        6/22/01

Howdy Dan ,

I did not see the one in Joplin pictured so I have been looking through the letters .

John Kirk mentions it but no pictures .From his letter :

I live just outside Springfield and took a photo of it in operation last summer , trackage
is now Missouri and Northern Arkansas. I was there in the evening and the local out of Carthage
was in town working . I followed them down where the wigwag is in an old industral area
(either 3rd or 4th streets?)and snapped a picture as the train went by . I would scan it and send
a copy but I don't know where it is ! If I can find it some day , will send it . Or maybe take another one .

Gordon Garrett
Brookline Mo.
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More wigwags in Wisconsin?...                 6/9/01

Dan,

There is an active wig-wag in Bloomer, WI.  It is on the UP line(ex CNW)

The Wisconsin Central signal maintainer told me there are several on the WC.
The only specific location he told me was Boyd, WI.  I have not seen this in person
but I'm sure it's there.

Thanks.

Arlyn Colby
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Dallas, OR update...                                  6/9/01

On a recent trip last weekend we were in Dallas, OR and found the two wig-wag there.
One was on Lyle St. and the other was on Uglow St. Your info shows Ulow St. (fixed)
I'm sure its just a typo.  I enjoyed your site very much.  Keep up the good work.

Bob Ulberg

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Indiana wigwags on display...                     6/9/01

Dan:

There is a wig-wag in someone's yard in Valparaiso, Indiana. It looks to be the type
the Erie-Lackawanna used. Also, a similar type is in the parking lot of the Back 40
Junction restaurant in Decatur, Indiana.

John G. Schultz, treasurer

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Griswolds in MN. ...                                  5/22/01

Dan,

I'm a particular fan of these, as they were used by the Great Northern
as well.  I picked up a complete catalog on ebay and would be willing
to scan any drawings you can use.

There is a complete unit at the world mining museum in Butte, MT.  I
took a couple of pix that I could scan if you like.

I also grab images from ebay to catalog my collection and for making
model signs.

By the way, great site!

Ron Ferrel
Pocatello, ID

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(more) Griswolds in MN. ...                                  5/22/01

Dan:

Saw your very interesting website about Magnetic Flagman
and Griswold Crossing Signals. Most impressive.

There are an unspecified number of Griswolds in operation
on about 260-miles of SOO Line (CPR) trackage between
Glenwood and Noyes, MN.

Dan: is there any way one could find out how many CPR
still has in operation on the Glenwood-Noyes Line?

(maybe someone reading this will have the answer...)

Ken B Armstrong
Rochester Hills, Michigan

p.s. ...

A Magnetic Flagman wig-wag is in operation
at Heritage Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
This is an early western Canada pioneer park
complete with steam train and  rolling stock.
The wig-wag protects a park road crossing.

Ken

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Tiny Town (Co.) wigwag...                        5/22/01

Hello:

There is a WigWag like the one shown on your Western Railroad Supply
page, the top photo, at Tiny Town in Colorado. Tiny Town is a miniature
town with a 15" gauge steam train that gives rides through the town.
It is west of Denver on US 285. Their address and phone are:

Tiny Town & Railroad
6249 S. Turkey Creek Rd.
Tiny Town, CO 80465

BTW: The WigWag is full sized.

--
Dave Pitts

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Canada Wigwags...                                    5/22/01

I found your website via Railway Preservation News.  Wigwags have
always
been of interest to me, so I was glad to see you've put together the
site.

Clayton Langstaff's photo of the non-wigwag at Coldwater brings back a
few memories of when I used to travel in the area on business.  I was
aware of the odd signal, but was stopped by a train there only once.
Fortunately, I had my camera handy and was able to get a couple of
shots
with it lit. Basically, there is a light bulb in the housing which
lights up the "Danger" sign.  Because it is white lettering on a
predominantly black background, there really isn't much of a
difference.  The real warning comes from the bell, which had a rather
slow cadence, similar to the SP wigwags in the west.

The Coldwater signal is/was on the Canadian Pacific mainline north from
Toronto (MacTier Subdivision).  Clayton, do you know if it's still
there?

There was another signal of the type in Port Moody BC, also on the CP
mainline (Cascade Sub.).  The signal guarded a pedestrian crossing --
the road had been closed.  It was replaced in the past ten years when
the area was redeveloped and the road re-opened to vehicles.  I could
not give you an exact date.

With regard to wigwags, there used to be a string of them on the CP in
Chatham ON.  They were still there when I moved west in 1986 but were
removed shortly thereafter.  Furthermore, they were controlled by a
watchman in an elevated crossing tower.  I made a day trip with some
friends to photograph them.  It being a Sunday, not much was happening
on the railroad or likely to happen.  We checked with the gateman -- a
young chap -- whether any trains were due.  None were.  We asked if he
would be willing to run one set of the signals so we could get some
photos.  He would.  So, we got into position, gave him a wave and he
started the signals for us!  We actually held up some traffic before we
got all the shots we wanted.  We gave him another wave, the signals
stopped and the road traffice resumed.

In fact, within a half hour, CP sent a light engine, an SW1200RS,
through town and we were again able to get shots of the signals in
action, only this time framing the locomotive.

You note the existing signals on the old Canada Southern [CASO] -- now
CN/CP, not Conrail, by the way.  CN/CP jointly bought the line several
years ago.  The CASO had several wigwags along its lines in the Chatham
area on county/township road crossings.  Most were removed in Conrail
days in the 1980s when the line was still carrying through traffic.

Wigwag signals have been preserved by several museums in Canada,
including some operating examples on the steam train circuits in
Calgary
and Edmonton.  All the signals I have seen are of the type illustrated
by the CASO example.

I've got some video of a set of wigwags on the Donner Pass line of SP.
The freight I was shooting had several empty autoracks and I was able
to
get shots of the far side wigwag through the freight cars.  I
understand
those signals have since been removed.

Now that I know about your database, I will keep a lookout for more
signals.

regards ... pqr

p.s. ...

I've just looked through more of your site and have a couple of
additional comments to my previous epic e-mail:

-- The only wigwags I have seen in Canada are of the Union Switch &
Signal type, and they were used by both major railroads, CN and CP.  As
with most things because of its government funding, CN "modernized"
sooner.  The CN wigwags I recall from when I was growing up in the
Toronto area in the 1950s were replaced very early.  The US&S wigwags
were used in the west by the Canadian lines, and again, the only
preserved examples I have seen since I moved out here are of this type.

-- You comment on how they look odd to western eyes -- I can tell you
they were all I knew until I started travelling in the US after I moved
to Vancouver BC in 1986.  I think your SP/ATSF types look odd!

Incidentally, Brad Miller of Mobile Fidelity includes the sound of SP
wigwags on at least one of his audio productions.

By the way, Clayton, who are the fellows in your photo?

regards ... pqr

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B&O Rr Museum wigwag...                               5/22/01

Hello Dan,
Great site. I noticed there is a wig wag at the B&O RR Museum in
Baltimore, MD and it appears you do not have it listed on your site.
Also, you may recall i informed you about the Strasburg RR in PA did
not have a wig wag last time I was there. I tried finding some info about what
happened to it, but no luck. If I come across anything, I'll let you
know.

Steve Panopoulos

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Wisconsin wigwags...                                      5/22/01

Dear Sir:

I am new to this group but have a couple of items.

First, there is an active wig-wag in Bloomer, Wisconsin.  It is in the city on the former CNW
track which is now UP.  You may want to add this to your roster.   I'm working on getting a
digital camera.   When I get one, I'll send you a shot.  If I get through Bloomer soon, I can
shoot a regular picture and mail it.

Second, I'm a volunteer for the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad.  This is a tourist line
based in Spooner, Wisconsin.   A friend gave me a wig-wag to set up by our station as a
static display.  It is like the ones pictured at Lima Center and Black Earth in Wisconsin.
I do not know what kind this is called or anything about it.  I do need the target and lens
assembly for it.   Can you help me?

Thanks.

Mr. Arlyn Colby

(anyone have a lead on a banner for a WRRS wigwag?)
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Martinez, Ca wigwag going soon...                      4/11/01

Dan,

I spoke with the Manager of Signal Construction for the Union Pacific in Roseville last week. He informed
me the Marina Vista wigwag at the private crossing on the Moccoco Line east of Martinez will probably be
removed in about 2 to 3 weeks. There are 2 sets of masts with electronic crossing bells, flashers, and
gate mechanisms on the same (south) side of the tunnel going under the "Cal-P" line as the wigwag.
There is a new mast with electronic bell, flashers, and a gate mechanism that was put in place last week
(April 3) on the north side of the tunnel.   The U.P. signal gang still has to put one more mast
with flashers, gates, etc. on the geographic north side of the crossing The signal department also had to
redesign the circuitry and signal placement (lay-out) of the crossing before construction resumed 2 weeks ago.

Denny Dollahon.
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San Jose wigwags on display...                              4/5/01

Dan:

I just checked your site again.  You don't have the wig-wag at the San José
Historical Museum listed in your "Museum Wig-wags" section.  The museum
is at the south end of Kelley Park at Senter and Story Roads.  The wig-wag is
painted in the old black and red scheme.

BTW, do you know what happened to the wig-wag at the entrance to the
Santa Clara Valley Transportation trolley maintenance facility?  It's at the
end of Younger Street right off the North First Street exit from I-880.

Stan Praisewater

(Can anybody help here?)
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More wigwags in Texas?...                                   4/5/01

Dear Dan.,

There was, until around '95-'97, a wigwag signal on the BNSF
in Sherman, Texas. It has since been removed. There are supposed to be
several at various crossings on the BNSF Stillwater Sub in Oklahoma.
Here is the BNSF Stillwater page, which gives details as to locations
of thewigwags.

http://www.su.okstate.edu/students/kirkj/stw.html

Jim Shaner
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Info on Durand Mich. wigwag...                           4/4/01

Hi Dan:

We visited the RR museum at Durand Michigan this weekend.  The wigwag
is still standing as in the photo; it is part of a park called Iron Horse
Park in which a retired steam locomotive and tender and a Pullman baggage
car sit; the baggage car was a museum before the old Durand Depot was
purchased from GTW and converted into a wonderful official Michigan railroad
museum and Amtrak waiting room and ticket selling location.

Durand features a  Railroad Days celebration every May, 3 days of
railroad lore and fun and games including an excursion train ride.

I don't know anything more about the specific wigwag, but might be able
to pry information out of someone in Durand if you want.

Patricia P.Miller
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Oakland Griswold signal gone...                            3/26/01

I drove past Economy Lumber near High St. in Oakland yesterday and
was surprised to see that the old Griswold rotating stop sign signal
had been replaced by a shiney new set of "plain vanilla" flashers
(still no gates).  Noticed several other new crossing installations
along that spur too.

Evan Werkema
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McMinnville wigwags to go soon...                         3/21/01

My fears have been confirmed by the P&W signal maintainer in training.
All three McMinville (Oregon) wig-wags are slated to be replaced by
gates in April or May of this year.

Camron Settlemier

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Info needed in Texas...                                  3/20/01

Dan,

Thanks for providing an interesting and informative site for us railroad buffs.
Who knew that wigwags would be so popular?

I am not sure if the one I remember is still in service. But, there used to be one
behind the St. Joseph's Hospital (Magnolia St.) in Fort Worth, Texas.

There is a multiple track crossing (behind the hospital) which included the
usual RR crossing signal and a set of wigwags on one of the track lines.  It
struck me as odd because it stood by itself and was operating as recently as
several years ago when I joined the military and left Fort Worth, TX.

I am not sure if it is still there or if it has been replaced with a newer type signal.
The road is not that heavily traveled, so it may have been left alone.

I hope that helps you in your quest for wigwag locations.

(unsigned)
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Fresno Update...                                           3/20/01

Dan,

I'll start to update some of the wigwags photos from the Fresno area.
It has been almost 2 years since I have sent in the first series of photos.
All of the wigwags are still operating but it seems like any upkeep on
them is very  meager. There has not been a repaint to any of them and
vandalism is starting to take a toll i.e. graffiti, banners used as shooting
targets, broken lenses, missing lens hoods, exposed wiring on the cantilevers.
The Locan Ave. wigwag has been supplemented by two shabby looking
crossbucks losing its photogenic nature. I'll start taking pictures and getting
them to you within a couple of weeks.

Until later

Ernest Sanchez
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More Wigwags on Video...                            2/22/01

I'm not sure whether this matter has been remarked on here, or whether it's something
everybody knows, but here goes.  For anyone who's interested in seeing/hearing wigwags
on videos, Pentrex's "Santa Fe Pasadena Subdivision" is hog heaven.  It has an almost
unbroken stream of wigwags in operation, culminating with a pair protecting the Chief
at Highway 38 in Cajon Pass.

Bob Burket
Santa Monica, California
bob@cuadra.com
.........................................................................
Griswold signals in Minnesota...            2/15/01

About five (5) years ago, I found some of the Griswold stop sign
flashers in Minnesota. They were on the Otter Tail Valley Railroad, in Fergus
Falls Minnesota. When inquiring about these rare signals, their signal
supervisor said that they had no plans to replace them. Occasionally,
when they did replace them, they were kept for parts. They made some of
their own replacement parts. The supervisor said that they intended to
keep these rare signals, until they were unable to keep them in
operating condition, due to lack of parts. I cannot say for sure, the number of
crossings with these Griswold's, but I believe that there were fourteen
(14) crossings.

Dave Morgan
.........................................................................

Hi Dan:

I have only seen these type signals while chasing the LTV mining in
Minnesota (with F units) about 4 years ago.  I saw at least 3 crossings
with them. It was quite a sight to see the stop sign rotate into
position!  Of course, wanting the F units, I never shot the
signals,,,haven't we all done such things?  Now, the LTV has just shut
down, so may never see them work again..

Dave Mitchell
Redding, CA
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Another wigwag in Redlands?...   1/16/01

Dan,

Love your website.  Great information, you even mentioned a couple I
didn't know about.

In Redlands there is an additional operating wig wag that you do not
have noted.  It is located at the San Bernardino County Museum at 2024
Orange Tree Lane, Redlands.

The wig wag is located next to a static display of a steam locomotive
and caboose.  The kicker for this one is that it is hooked up to power, so
all you have to do is push the button, and away it goes.  I do not know its
origin.

Jon Usle'
Cajon Pass, CA
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Wigwag in Oklahoma?...            1/12/01

Dan,

        Caught your web site while browsing tonight. Interesting...
However I noticed you didn't mention Oklahoma in your listings of
operating wig wags, there is still one wig wag that I know is operating
in Enid Oklahoma. It is a low signal, I could reach it to stop it from
dinging a few times. It's on the south side of a private crossing on
Main 2, near an old refinery, just east of the Santa Fe yard in Enid
(in yard limits). I work for the BNSF and recall spending a very rainy
night standing next to the stupid thing clanging away for nearly 30 minutes
waiting for the engine to return from switching move. To put it mildly,
it works very well... I haven't been there for quite a while, so I
don't recall if it had a light in it or not. Just thought I'd pass this on
since you had a site totally dedicated to wig wags. I grew up in a
house adjacent to a wig wag (no joke, in Harper Kansas), our house was 30 ft
from the wig wag, and the tracks have since been torn up. I would be
interested in restoring one someday... would you know where I could
find any parts to scratch build one? Thanks

Seth Hostetler

2 other wigwags were recently found in Oklahoma, photos here...
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Wigwags on video...                                 1/6/01

Dan -

I checked out two train videos at my local Hollywood Video.
The first one, "America By Rail Vol 1 - The Heartland"
(by CounterTop Video, (c) 1994) contained 1 wigwag not listed on your
site:  a working wigwag at the Omaha Zoo in Omaha Nebraska.
They have an operating narrow-guage steam locomotive (from
Austria) on their track that runs around the zoo.  The video
showed this train rolling past a pedestrian crossing with
the wigwag functioning.  Unfortunately we don't get a good
look at it; only a sidelong view.
(about 40-50 mins into the program)

The tape also shows 2 operating wigwags in the Santa Cruz area,
one on the Big Trees & Pacific line in downtown, the other
on the UP branch line down the boardwalk, which has since
been removed and replaced by catilever/gates.
(at the very end of the 2 hr tape)

The other video, "America By Rail Vol 2 - The West Coast",
(also by CounterTop Video, (c) 1995) shows the wigwag in Banks,
Oregon as it was in approx 1995 when the Spirit of Oregon Dinner
Train operated.  The wigwag is still in service, but was spruced
up a bit since then, as your site shows.

Russell Krishnan Myjak

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L.A Wigwag Roundup...    1/4/01

In response to an email I sent out requesting a Southern California wigwag update...

Turns out I just got back from a trip to SoCal and did some
wigwag snooping.  Here's what I covered this trip:

Gardena: Only two of the four wigwags were removed.  The wigwags
on both Hobart and Denker Streets are intact, looking much as
they did last year when I shot them.  You've already noted the
two wigwags that were removed: the one at 164th and Vermont
(replaced by an extensive array of cantelevered flashers and
gates) and the one at Vermont and Gardena (removed with no
replacement of any kind).  They even uprooted the "Pacific
Electric" crossbuck at 164th. :-(

For some reason, I didn't notice the Gardena "Athens/124th (retired)"
listing, so I never went over to check on it.  Sorry about that.

Vernon: The 49th Street wigwag is still there.  I had some trouble
finding it, and other folks probably have too, due to the reference to
the Los Angeles Junction RR on your list.  Turns out this wigwag is not
on the LAJ, but on the BNSF Harbor Sub!  To pin down the location
a little better, it's on 49th St. about a block east of Santa Fe Ave.
BNSF double stack trains lumber past this wigwag on their way to
and from Long  Beach.  Eventually the Alameda Corridor will
take away the stack traffic, but the line (and wigwag) will presumably
remain in place to serve industrial customers.  After all, only one
of those nine tracks is the "main" - the rest are part of a small
yard for a local switcher.  I believe BNSF refers to this location
as "Malabar."

Other wigwags I revisited:

Fresno: All four SJVR wigwags are still intact.  Caught an SJVR
job going past the one at Van Ness and California - it works, but
the bell is a real "clunker."

Hanford: Both SJVR wigwags are still there.

Hawthorne: Eucalyptus Ave. is still protected by a magnetic
flagman.

Florence:  A correction here - the wigwag you list at Gage and
Wilmington is actually at Gage and *Hooper Ave.*  When I found
no evidence of a rail line at Gage and Wilmington, I knew something
was amiss. ;^)  The Gage/Hooper wigwag is still pretty much as
shown in the photo on your site - the tracks are gone, but the
wigwag remains, hidden behind the traffic light.  The wigwag at
Wilmington and Randolph is still there too.

Huntington Park (Bell): The Randolph/Gifford wigwag is still
intact, though this line is now disconnected on the west end
and apparently out of service due to the Alameda Corridor
construction.

Redlands: Both Mountain View Ave. and Nevada St. are
in place and functional.  By sheer luck, I caught the Redlands
local departing San Bernardino and got pictures and video of it
passing both wigwags!  If they come out, I'll see if I can get
Howard to scan them.

Evan Werkema

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Coast Line Update...                         1/2/01

Friends,

The U.P. is converting the Coast Line to CTC. I imagine that the
wigwags will go, with the new signaling going in. I talked to a resident of the
private enclave near Santa Claus. He seemed to be proud that this
private crossing, at M.P. 376.3 would soon have crossing gates,
instead of the old wigwag.

Dave Morgan
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