Grade crossing signals with high white indicator lights
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:08 am
In the 1980s, in St. Petersburgh, Florida, near the famous St. Petersburg pier I found an east-west track.
The south-facing signal at each grade crossing had a metal pole attached to the signal mast extending 5 feet (maybe higher) above.
On top was a clear light bulb in a clear domed cylindrical glass lamp fixture, I recall.
These grade crossing signals could be operated manually. At each crossing was an exposed wood knob protruding from a small electrical box.
With no traffic, when I pulled the knob out, that pair of signals operated. No bells that I recall.
The white light blinked on and off - obviously connected to one of the signal lamp (o) wires.
Were these high lights to indicate that the signals are operating so they are not left operating by accident?
Perhaps it was this track which now ends on the right of the bus in the aerial photo.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... &encType=1
[posted at 03:08 a.m. Not 11:08 a.m. as indicated]
The south-facing signal at each grade crossing had a metal pole attached to the signal mast extending 5 feet (maybe higher) above.
On top was a clear light bulb in a clear domed cylindrical glass lamp fixture, I recall.
These grade crossing signals could be operated manually. At each crossing was an exposed wood knob protruding from a small electrical box.
With no traffic, when I pulled the knob out, that pair of signals operated. No bells that I recall.
The white light blinked on and off - obviously connected to one of the signal lamp (o) wires.
Were these high lights to indicate that the signals are operating so they are not left operating by accident?
Perhaps it was this track which now ends on the right of the bus in the aerial photo.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v ... &encType=1
[posted at 03:08 a.m. Not 11:08 a.m. as indicated]
