Google Maps Scavenger Hunt

[PlyingKibbles89]

Decided to look for more stuff.

Spur crossing, but the advance warning sign is mounted on the crossbuck!
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8922959 ... 8192?hl=en

A gateless signal acting like an advance warning sign. Makes sense to have it here.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.91087,- ... 8192?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.925867, ... 8192?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9323167 ... 8192?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9533944 ... 8192?hl=en

Same here, but with a gateless cantilever.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9381225 ... 8192?hl=en

Spur Crossings with gateless cantilevers.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9247571 ... 8192?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9259143 ... 8192?hl=en

Older UP gateless crossing with 8 inch lights!
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9571747 ... 8192?hl=en

[freebrickproductions]

Spur Crossings with gateless cantilevers.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9247571 ... 8192?hl=en
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9259143 ... 8192?hl=en

Second one appears to be out of service.

[freebrickproductions]

Deactivating signals in Powder Springs, GA:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8407836 ... 384!8i8192

[chris96]

I've discovered that the "back of house" railroad crossing for the Walt Disney World Railroad at the Magic Kingdom was upgraded in 2018. Here's a Street View image from August of that year showing both the old and new signals together:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@28.4237 ... 312!8i6656

Unfortunately, the original signals have now been completely removed:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@28.4237 ... 384!8i8192

It's too bad they didn't retain the unique green color the old setup had. Also, I believe this is the first time E-Bells have been used on any Disney property.

[freebrickproductions]

RIP to that WRRS 1203 bell though.

[chris96]

Found this South Australian style setup with a ladder attached to the signal in Vernon, California:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 384!8i8192

I had no idea these ladder crossings existed in the US and always thought they were unique to South Australia. How common are they in the US? Are there many still around?

I also found what appears to be some kind of training facility with rail/road traffic infrastructure:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@33.9807 ... 384!8i8192

[freebrickproductions]

Found this South Australian style setup with a ladder attached to the signal in Vernon, California:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 384!8i8192

I had no idea these ladder crossings existed in the US and always thought they were unique to South Australia. How common are they in the US? Are there many still around?

Haven't seen too many over here on the east coast outside of cantilevers. Might've just been something a western railroad (I'm guessing in this case the SP?) might've done years ago. Can't really think of many others off the top of my head, TBH, though I suppose it's possible that there'd been many more years ago, but most have just simply long since been removed.

As a side-note, Google caught the crossing in action for some maintenance work a few years back:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0045 ... 312!8i6656

I also found what appears to be some kind of training facility with rail/road traffic infrastructure:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@33.9807 ... 384!8i8192

In fact, it is, lol:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/El ... 18.1450002

[chris96]

Haven't seen too many over here on the east coast outside of cantilevers. Might've just been something a western railroad (I'm guessing in this case the SP?) might've done years ago. Can't really think of many others off the top of my head, TBH, though I suppose it's possible that there'd been many more years ago, but most have just simply long since been removed.

As a side-note, Google caught the crossing in action for some maintenance work a few years back:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0045 ... 312!8i6656

Interesting. The signal does appear to be quite old, so I'd say it's very likely this practice of installing ladders stopped decades ago. Even in South Australia the ladders have been phased out, as new installations no longer incorporate them.

Nice find with the activation! I also just noticed from that older street view image that the signal used to have an old school "2 Tracks" sign:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 312!8i6656

Seems it was replaced around 2017. However, its replacement only lasted about a year or two before the entire crossing was downgraded to a single track:

2017:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 312!8i6656

2019:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@34.0046 ... 384!8i8192

I also found what appears to be some kind of training facility with rail/road traffic infrastructure:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@33.9807 ... 384!8i8192

In fact, it is, lol:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/El ... 18.1450002

Just noticed the Institute also has even more signals located at the front of the property:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@33.9788 ... 384!8i8192

Wonder if the crossing equipment actually operates like the traffic lights do? There seems to be a relay bungalow by the side of one of the buildings:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@33.9790 ... 384!8i8192

[Nascar Fan007]

Active crossing just east of Orrick, MO near Camden.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1942917 ... 328!8i1664

Odd looking setup in Waverly, MO on the UP River Sub
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2134833 ... 312!8i6656

7 inch gate lights on the KCS Pittsburg Sub in Drexel, MO just before the Kansas/Missouri border.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4756432 ... 312!8i6656

Active crossing in Grantville, Kansas
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.085744, ... 312!8i6656
Not sure if the crossing is malfunctioning at the time google streetview went by here, or if the maintainers are doing a crossing test.

Active crossing in North Kansas City, MO ( a crossing which I happen to filmed at last September when NS 8104 came to KC)
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1268029 ... 328!8i1664

Active crossing in Birmingham, MO on the CP Trenton Sub.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1618108 ... 328!8i1664
Unfortunately the 7 inch gate lights, as well as the original incandescent lights have long since been replaced with 4 inch led gate lights (presumably either Reco or NEG), and Harmon Fading Leds by the time I filmed this crossing in action last year.

[jff1999]

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0941287 ... 384!8i8192