Billups neon cossing signal

[NSrailfan4life]

Does anyone know by any chance what they did with the parts when they got rid of this signal? Did they throw it away, preserve parts, etc?

Probably ended up in a junkyard or got destroyed, there's no chance that it even exists today.

Well that sucks. I always wanted to see it in person!

[NSrailfan4life]

As I promised. Here is a colored photograph of this thing in action. The photograph came in the mail today.

Notice the lights not flashing, but just the signs are on! And the E8A is kind of blurred, sorry about that.

[ZachL]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

Do you have any more photographs, or was that the only one?

[NSrailfan4life]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

Do you have any more photographs, or was that the only one?

Only one my friend. I am planning on a trip to the state capitol of Miss in the near future. There is rumors that in their files there are other photographs of this signal, and I heard anyone can visit. So If I ever find any more photos, I will most certainly post!

[ZachL]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

Do you have any more photographs, or was that the only one?

Only one my friend. I am planning on a trip to the state capitol of Miss in the near future. There is rumors that in their files there are other photographs of this signal, and I heard anyone can visit. So If I ever find any more photos, I will most certainly post!

Excellent! If you could, I would honestly ask the curator (or whoever is in charge) as well if they have spare photographs available for copying for your own copy as well, for your personal collection and to also share with us.

[NSrailfan4life]

Wow, thanks for sharing!

Do you have any more photographs, or was that the only one?

Only one my friend. I am planning on a trip to the state capitol of Miss in the near future. There is rumors that in their files there are other photographs of this signal, and I heard anyone can visit. So If I ever find any more photos, I will most certainly post!

Excellent! If you could, I would honestly ask the curator (or whoever is in charge) as well if they have spare photographs available for copying for your own copy as well, for your personal collection and to also share with us.

Will sure do!

[freebrickproductions]

The lights could be flashing, but the picture could've been taken either during mid-flash or the lenses were rather dirty at the time so the lights didn't light up very well.

[NSrailfan4life]

The lights could be flashing, but the picture could've been taken either during mid-flash or the lenses were rather dirty at the time so the lights didn't light up very well.

I heard from some guys that the lights will normally go off if the Neon signs fail. So the relays will cause the normal lights to flash instead until a maintainer comes out and repairs the sirens and lights. And after resetting the relays, all lights and sirens go back to regular function. I think if I am correct all those 8" heads were manufactured by US&S.

Also a quick note. I went and asked some friends at the Trains Magazine forums on behalf of this signal, and supposedly Alonzo Billups was willing to make 13 more of these things, but Illinois Central turned him down! I think the UP Was another railroad he also negotiated with, but also did not work out.

[ToledoRailfan]

I wonder how loud the siren was and how far away it could be heard. I can't imagine it would be as loud as a tornado siren.

[freebrickproductions]

They look to be rather small sirens, something about the size of a Model A, so if I had to take a guess, it'd probably be about 100-110 decibels at 10 feet, which is much quieter than tornado sirens, which are measured at 100 feet.