Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Lebanon #15: Magnetic Flagman Signal

Berlin Road Grade Crossing

IMG_0691 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Berlin Road Grade Crossing on January 18, 2006

At the east end of the railroad bridge across the South Santiam River, the railroad crosses Berlin Road, and at this crossing a vintage signal called a magnetic flagman, or wig-wag, stood guard.

IMG_0689 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Berlin Road Grade Crossing on January 18, 2006

IMG_0692 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Wig-Wag Signal at Berlin Road on January 18, 2006

IMG_0685 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Wig-Wag Signal at Berlin Road on January 18, 2006

Once a common grade crossing signal before the modern crossbuck became a standard and flashing lights and gates were mandated, these signals were first made in 1910 and were installed through the late 1940s.

IMG_1103 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on February 24, 2006
Train at Berlin Road Grade Crossing on February 24, 2006

IMG_1105 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on February 24, 2006
Train at Berlin Road Grade Crossing on February 24, 2006

IMG_1106 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on February 24, 2006
Train at Berlin Road Grade Crossing on February 24, 2006

The single red light swings back and forth when a train is near, simulating the motion that a flagman would make with his lantern.

IMG_0688 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Wig-Wag Signal at Berlin Road on January 18, 2006

This Model 3 lower-quadrant signal, made by the Magnetic Signal Company of Los Angeles, California, was one of only a handful remaining in Oregon, nearly all of which have now been removed.

IMG_0687 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on January 18, 2006
Wig-Wag Signal Base at Berlin Road on January 18, 2006

This signal was removed in 2008 and replaced with flashing lights and gates.

IMG_0959 Magnetic Flagman (Wig-Wag) Signal at Berlin Road in Lebanon, Oregon on February 13, 2006
Berlin Road Grade Crossing on February 13, 2006

This video shows the signal in operation.

Lebanon Wig-Wag Signal in Operation

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