Signal lights--down with the old, up with the new

[Bill Richardson]

   I have seen some discussion and lamentations about old signal lights being taken down and new ones put up.  This past week I happened to go to the RR crossing at Waynesburg, KY, and found a bunch of old light bridges with signal lights in piles.  Beams cut, lights broken, etc.  New lights and poles were already in place, and one bridge was lying on the ground, awaiting further action by a torch.

   I made several photos, just for the record.  Here are a few.  Warning: These images may be disturbing to some viewers.

[E.M. Bell]

They certainly looked better before.  Those signals are very unique, and very CNOT&P.

Knowing that the changes were coming, I have made it my life's mission the past 4 years to photograph every CP and intermediate that still had searchlights, and save for a couple of places, accomplished that goal.  Now we are on death watch, getting those last shots as the reaper moves North..

Progress Sucks. 

[steveiez]

My town, Glenfield PA, still has the old PRR light towers still in use. They said last year was the last...so far, no.

[thpbears]

What do they do with these after they have taken them down I assume they go to the scrap yard? That's a lot of history lying there.

[Gage O'Dell]

What do they do with these after they have taken them down I assume they go to the scrap yard? That's a lot of history lying there.

Some will go to scrap and some will get preserved and sent to museums. I know the Bluegrass Railroad Museum is getting the searchlight from Rosemont whenever it falls. I think it all depends on how the signals come down.. As you see, the signal people aren't very kind..

Here's an example from Kings Mountain... (Don't look E.m)

[Matt L]

I have sensed a disturbance in the force for a while now. Both NS and CSX are replacing older signals with the new style "Yader" signals in upstate NY.