Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

cabman701 wrote:Check out this relic I found in Napoleon, Ohio! http://g.co/maps/cfqdr

Latest Google Maps update seems to show the end of life for that signal perhaps, and the one on the other side too... due to some kind of street project.

cabman701 wrote:The next block over, you got this: http://g.co/maps/82k3e Both signals only have 1 set of lights...
And the signal on the other side of the tracks is all the way down at the corner. http://g.co/maps/yyc6y That has to be some sort of violation!

And it looks as though the cabinet the runs that crossing runs the crossing next to it as well. And... if we want to discuss violations, it's set up even worse with only 1 signal at the crossing... which is a long way from the track as well. (Never relocated after the inactive track was removed.) If they were only going to have one signal at the crossing, you'd think they'd put in on the opposite side of the highway from where it was placed, and with another crossbuck. (Or something similar to the one signal crossing in Eagle Grove, Iowa.)

To be honest, it makes me think two other crossings in Napoleon may have been one signal wonders at one time as well, as they have similar signal bases still at the crossings but with no signal there, but two other signals. (Highway 108 and Oakwood Ave.)

Wow, I just looked up that single signal on the PUCO site... and until recently it only had lights pointed one direction. Evidently the reason they put the one signal right there at the intersection and not up by the tracks is that it's meant to warn traffic turning AND going straight. Talk about cheap only installing three signals for two crossings... and with that being the case, not installing an addition pair of lights for traffic approaching that crossing from the cross street?
No traffic engineer in his right mind would allow that these days.

The PUCO record of that crossing was updated in August 2014. Pioneer has installed new signals with gates and lights now.
Also at the adjacent crossing too.

Some classic vintage signals were just removed farther down the line in a small rural Ohio town called Antwerp near the Ohio Indiana border. Here is the thread it was on: http://www.rxrsignals.net/Phpbb3/viewto ... =13&t=2842

I'll be interested to find out if Pioneer makes a move to replace the signals at this major highway crossing as well.

SirKrunch wrote:I'll be interested to find out if Pioneer makes a move to replace the signals at this major highway crossing as well.

I did not know there was a Freeway Crossing in Northwest Ohio. I'll have the check that out sometime. Freeway crossings have always interested me. Probably the only reason the tracks don't go over or under the freeway is because the Maumee and Western Railroad does not do daily runs. I would think that a Freeway Crossing would have more up to date signals even if the railroad does not maintain their crossings.

Well, they only do car storage beyond that point. The diamond was removed between there and Liberty City also, so there's no service beyond that point. There's on and off rumors that someone may start up a business in LC and look for rail service, but most people that are in the know (which I certainly am NOT) say don't hold your breath.
But honesty, Pioneer being a national corporation worried about safety and the FRA/STB rules... I can't see them wanting to continue flagging that crossing whenever they go out that way. Especially when they're battling now to have the exempt status of that crossing removed.

This a a neat thread I've been keeping tabs on for information on the line. (Warning: Off site)
http://railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=26432

SirKrunch wrote:

cabman701 wrote:Check out this relic I found in Napoleon, Ohio! http://g.co/maps/cfqdr

Latest Google Maps update seems to show the end of life for that signal perhaps, and the one on the other side too... due to some kind of street project.

The signal is no longer there but I was on Google maps following the M&W line and I came across this crossing with vintage 8'' signals along with a G.R.S light but then I noticed that the old signals at the one crossing in Napoleon were be stored here!