As of May 2017, Lindsay has 4 wigwags still in service.
One is located on the former Southern Pacific
Exeter Branch (what's left of it), and 3 others are located on the
former ATSF Porterville Sub (most
of it also abandoned now). All of these wigwags are located at the
very end of what's left of these former
branch lines, and likely see next to no action.
Lewis Street
Lewis St. on the former SP Exeter Branch is now served
by the San Joaquin RR. As of 2017, much
of the rail has been removed a few miles south of this crossing.
It doesn't look like there is much activity
here at all. Scott Thomas sends in an update from May, 2017. The
signal appears to have been
hit by a track and is leaning into the road. The banner is falling
apart as well. I don't think
this wigwag can operate at such a steep angle as the contacts likely
would not be engaged.
Above three photos - Scott Thomas - 5/2017
From the past...
Photo by Laurence Granfield (11/3/99)
Valencia St.
This wigwag was apparently knocked over by a car
or truck in early 2022.
Not too far away on the former ATSF line (now SJVR) is this one. It was
at Valencia St. This was another typical Santa Fe style wigwag
with the short cantilever and the pole mounted crossbuck. This is
about as short as cantilevers get! Not sure how much traffic this
line gets, but it ends just a little more than a block south of this
crossing, just past 1st Ave. There is one last customer located there,
but
it doesn't appears to be a truck-only operation.
Scott Thomas - 5/2017
Here are two photos submitted by Paul Khoury of what was left
after an apparent accident at the crossing...
From the past...
From September, 2006 (photos by Bill Steck)
And from 11/3/99, by Laurence Granfield
This map shows all four streets covered here. Almost looks like
every crossing has a wigwag!
Honolulu St.
At the next crossing to the north, you'll find this one.
It's located at
Honolulu St. The cantilever is a bit larger here.
Scott Thomas, 5/2017
From the past...
Above 2 images from Bill Steck - 2006
From 11/3/99 - photo by Laurence Granfield
Hermosa St.
One more crossing to the north is
this one. It's on E. Hermosa St.
This one has the largest cantilever of the three former ATSF wigwags.
Above 2 photos by Scott Thomas - 5/2017
From the past...
Above 2 photos by Bill Steck (9/2006)
Photo by Laurence Granfield (11/3/99)
Wigwag Remnants on the Porterville Sub
There are two wigwags that served on the now abandoned ATSF
Porterville - Orosi District
that are almost still there. In both cases, the masts and cantelevers
remain. Motor boxes and banners
have long since been removed.
Avenue 220 - South of Lindsay
Less than a mile south of Valencia Street
(where the line now ends) is this wigwag remnant.
The line used to extend out to Porterville (and beyond), but
was abandoned during the 90s.
Somehow this one managed to escape the scrappers.
These two images were taken in June 2017.
This is how the crossing appeared in 2007. The ROW is still clearly visable.
It has since been planted over. Above 4 photos - Scott Thomas.
View looking north.
Teapot Dome Rd. - near Porterville
One more, just south of Porterville, is this one. This line was also
abandoned during the 90s
(all part of the former ATSF Porterville - Orosi Dist.).
This is the segment that ran from Porterville to Ducor. Another
forgotten wigwag out in the fields.
