Not A Lot of Lights Here

[gedunk]

I am so used to seeing crossings in California signaled up to a fare-thee-well, that this seems very shortchanged. I do think this could use a few more lights...

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2421995 ... 384!8i8192

[SirKrunch]

I remember seeing quite a few installs like that when I visited North Carolina too. You certainly never see naked masts on cantilever signals here in Iowa.

Certainly would like to see some lights on a couple of those naked gated masts though. We're long past the days of audible warning bells being useful to those driving.

[freebrickproductions]

Several railroads here on the east coast liked to install cantilevers without any mast lights, it seems. Not entirely sure why, but I suspect it's due to the overhead lights being used for drivers (due to visibility reasons from the road, if I had to guess), and them figuring that a bell is enough for any pedestrians. Basically a way of saving money.

Funnily enough, I'm aware of a crossing on the TSRR in Tennessee that had a cantilever that was originally installed by the L&N with mast lights, but when the railroad did an LED upgrade to the crossing they removed the pair of mast lights on it.