Crossing lights in Kokomo Indiana

[jd318mike]

I am starting this thread as we have a plethora of older flashers here in Kokomo. With 2 divisions of the old NKP, Cloverleaf and IMC and the remains of a PRR line. We have loads of 8' dia lamps, lots of orignal cast iron lights still in use, GRS LEX-C both on post and cantilever. I will start on pics this next week in my travels. Most of the lights in town are 8" dia with very few 12" dia lights. One crossing on a side street has 3 full sets of GRS LEX-C lamps, with just car traffic and nothing to hit them and break them, the whole crossing is equipted with them. Two double sided posts with a set facing an alley that comes in right at the crossing. Mike

[jd318mike]

The hole light set up, not the relays in the insturment cases. Very few new set ups here in town, all older, some dating back into the 60's or earilier that are still in use. I have some nice youtube vids of the LEX C lights on a members light display. They are unique, thats for sure. No pics yet, but comming soon! Mike

[owensri]

Lex-C lights look good to me when off, but their light output leaves a lot to be desired. I do like them, though.

Mine are pretty damn bright during the day...and they will blind you if you look directly at them at night. It just depends on how the reflector is inside. Did you know there were two designs of the LEX-C lights made? The first design...the ones you have Elton, are the faulty ones with the crappy bulb bracket...and rusting bolt. The ones that I got from eBay...and the ones Conrail used around here are the better ones...with the durable bulb bracket...and the bolt doesn't rust. I think it's brass or something. Here's what the inside of mine looks like:



Also, notice that on the top of the lighthead...the part that mounts to the elbow was also reinforced...so they don't break as easily:



I never realised they had 2 designs until I got those ones from eBay...and also noticed that Conrail used them as well. CN has the old designs.

[jd318mike]

Mine are the older design, and thus busted. I was able to remount the crappy style bulb holder and I have an idea for making new mounts for them. I still hope to find 4 good lamps, like owensri, I like the different style of the LEX-C lights. Even a 4 of the older ones would work if not broken. Nothing is gonna bother them once set up in my back yard. Neat pics however, I didnt realize there was a better version made either. Cheers Mike T

[Smjh1979]

Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zdbnqMg ... annel_page

Those gates dropped WAAAAAAY too fast. I'm glad technology caught up with that aspect of signaling.

Also, I noticed a stop sign that was yellow too. Those were supposed to have been done away in 1954. I guess they lasted through the 60s as well.

[SirKrunch]

Well, the speed of the video may have been accelerated a bit from the quality of the video, but still, that was a speedy drop. But then again, the weight of the wooden gate could play into that as well. And talk about your tomahawk action!

Edit: Since you brought up the yellow stop signs... There are a hand-full of small really rural towns around here yet that still have yellow Yield signs that also have the text "THE RIGHT OF WAY" underneath the word yield.

[AndyWS]

Yeah, you can tell the film is being run faster than real speed when you see the kid waving. That is a heck of a bounce, though.

[jd318mike]

Since I havent made it out to get any local pics, here is my personal set of lights, all WRRS brand. This set up came off the Erie RR in Rochester, Indiana. Was owned by a police officer at his lake cottage. New owner didnt want them and I got them for a keen price. They have thier original glass lenses, cast iron cross bucks, pole and top cap. They came with a motor driven alternating flasher that was used for traffic lights. Using 6vt to power the motor instead of the normal 12vt it calls for gives a very realistic flash rate. I use a seperate 12vt power supply to feed the lights. I have some leads on a second pair of light heads and a proper base. I hope to find a proper shelf relay to make them flash with. I should have some pics from around Kokomo tomorrow evening or later this week. Cheers Mike T

[SirKrunch]

Check out the close-up also beginning at 2:10. Ignoring the late drop of the gate...Those are some wacky looking gate lights. Wonder how much those behemoths weighed in at...