Exeter Branch wigwags

Exeter Branch Wigwags

Many Thanks to Ernest Sanchez of Fresno for rushing these photos off to me. A total of five wigwags have been located in the Fresno area. Two on the former Espee Exeter Branch, and three on the Clovis Branch. Both lines are now operated by the San Joaquin Railroad. One is located in Sanger on the Exeter Branch, one in Fresno on the same branch, and the other three also in Fresno on the Clovis Branch.

Sanger
Downtown

This picture was shot in 1989 in Sanger CA in the downtown area a block from Academy Ave. A nice example of an all original Magnetic Signal Company wigwag.

Same signal, opposite direction. 8/99

Locan Road
Update:
This wigwag was stolen during the weekend of 11/12/05. The motor box and banner were taken.
The San Joaquin Valley Railroad is asking for information, (559) 592-2505, and advises the
wig wag had secret marking implanted to make it easily identifiable to authorities.

This is the result of the theft. Temproary flasher built on what was left of the wigwag. This will likely be replaced with gates in the enar future.

2 photos by Gary Pederson

From 1999...

This one is actually located between Fresno and Sanger on S. Locan Rd. Nice, timeless setting for this one. Notice the rare Railroad Supply Company base. These actually pre-date the Magnetic Signal Company. This wigwag retains its original banner without the rubber hose modification. A rare sight these days!

photos taken 7/25/99 (left photo 8/99)

Fresno

Back in Fresno you'll find this one located at Van Ness and California Aves. (almost sounds like San Francisco!)
Notice Union Switch & Signal Relay case and absence of Magnetic Signal Co. base.

A video of this signal was posted to YouTube by RichardRailrod-
click on logo to view:

Reedley
Note:
These two wigwags were removed in Dec. 2001...

"Both wigwags are now gone, replaced by several very large cantilever
crossing signals. The SJVRR and the city of Reedley have been upgrading the area along the old SP Exeter branch by replacing crossing signals, replacing the crossings themselves, and constructing a walking trail along some of the old industrial leads in downtown Reedley. I don't know the whereabouts of the removed signals but my guess is that the SJVRR took them. A very sad development, to say the least. The other signals in the immediate Fresno area, including Sanger and Locan Ave., are in operating
shape. The Locan Ave. signal has a nearby new(12/31/01) electrical meter installed .This might indicate a replacement of the wigwag or a more reliable power source for the crossing. We'll have to wait and see. I'll send pictures soon."

-Ernest Sanchez (1/02)

This wigwag is located at 13th Ave. (mile post 230.0) in downtown Reedley (about 25 miles southeast of Fresno). Notice original Magnetic Signal Co. base. Strange relay case next to it.

And just a couple blocks away you'll find this one on 11th Ave (milepost 229.7).
Another nice original signal nearly identical to 13th Ave.
Photos taken 7/25/99

All photos by Ernest Sanchez

Lindsay

Lewis St. on the former SP. This is now served by the San Juaquin RR. For more
wigwags in Lindsay, see link below.

L. Granfield photo.

Ernest Sanchez gives more info on the Exeter Branch:

Lindsay is on the former SP Exeter Branch at milepost 264.3.
The Exeter Branch ran from Fresno 205.5 to Famoso 309.8 along the Eastside of the of the lower San Joaquin Valley. The branch connects to the Fresno Line twenty miles north of Bakersfield. I hope there are still operating wigwags in some of the other cites around Lindsay.

Branchline info is from the Western Region Timetable, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, No. 2, Oct. 25, 1987.

E.Sanchez

Clovis Branch

Exeter Branch

Oakdale/Bakersfield

Coalinga Branch

Lindsay

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7/22/99