Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Came across this picture in my hometown newspaper. There is quite a lot of flooding along the Illinois river due to near record rainfall... and even more is forecast. Look above the 2nd locomotive.

Definitely looks like 8 inch crossing signal lights. What purpose could they serve I wonder? This is in Beardstown, IL by the way...

I believe it is signaling for boats, the bridge appears as it opens. So those things signal at the boat drivers. I love how they decided to use crossing lights. They appear to be US&S 8" Lights.

NSrailfan4life wrote:I believe it is signaling for boats, the bridge appears as it opens. So those things signal at the boat drivers. I love how they decided to use crossing lights. They appear to be US&S 8" Lights.

That is correct. There use to be a set on the St. Johns River Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville, FL, next to the CSX HQ. But they were removed about 15 years ago.