Level crossing signals are electronic warning devices for road vehicles at railroad level crossings .
67-692: Wigwag is a nickname for a type of railroad grade crossing signal once common in North America, referring to its pendulum -like motion that signaled a train's approach. The device is generally credited to Albert Hunt , a mechanical engineer at Southern California 's Pacific Electric (PE) interurban streetcar railroad, who invented it in 1909 for safer railroad grade crossings. The term should not be confused with its usage in Britain, where "wigwag" generally refers to alternate flashing lights, such as those found at modern level crossings . Soon after
134-514: A change in the electromagnets. Most, if not all, of the 600 VDC units were used by PE. With the conversion to diesel power after PE sold its passenger operations in 1953, those 600 VDC wigwags were gradually converted to 8 VDC units. There were also some 110 volt AC models of Magnetic Flagman used on several railroads, including Norfolk and Western, Winston-Salem Southbound , and the Milwaukee Road . Since AC power did not generate good torque,
201-405: A change in which the motion-limiting bumpers were placed on the front of the signal instead of inside at the rear, so that the torque on the armature was reduced. They also had unique lights on their banners. Any version could be ordered to operate using the railroad signal standard of 8 volts DC (VDC) current, or the 600 VDC used to power streetcars and electric locomotives, with little more than
268-416: A coil cutoff device was installed that utilized all four magnets until full motion of the banner was obtained, then two of the magnets went off line and movement was maintained by the remaining two magnets. Various options were available. One was a round, counterbalancing "sail" for use in windy areas and which was sometimes painted in the same scheme as the main target. A warning light with adjustable housing
335-569: A consistent interval prior to the arrival of a train at a level crossing. Crossbucks also may have legends saying, for example: "RAIL ROAD CROSSING" (United States), "RAIL WAY CROSSING" (Australia and New Zealand), "PELIGRO FERROCARRIL" (Latin America, meaning DANGER RAILWAY), or be wordless (Canada and many other countries). Many states in the US are now requiring the use of this type of equipment at all newly constructed level crossings. " Wigwag "
402-613: A disappearing banner style in the East and standard two-position in the Great Plains. While there are a few examples in museums, the sole surviving US&S wigwag in service in the US is a two-position style in Joplin, MO on an ex-Frisco industrial spur . It was not destroyed in the May, 2011 Joplin tornado, being a few blocks outside the damage path. These were a bit different in design from
469-424: A few other models that were either manufactured by Magnetic Signal or customized by the different railroads. Some examples included two signals on the same pole for different traffic approaches, a circular upper quadrant signal in which the target swung in a circular frame, and three-position signals where the target was hidden behind a sign when the signal was inactive. The Norfolk and Western Railway decided to make
536-517: A hefty price and winding up in personal collections of railroad officials, train spotters , and other individual collectors. Magnetic Flagman made in Minneapolis, Minnesota after production was moved from Los Angeles are especially rare and are valued by collectors. Although many wig wags are still used by heritage railroads and railroad museums, there are only 14 railroad crossings with at least one wigwag remaining in use for regular railroads in
603-764: A pendulum was attached. A red light in the center of the target illuminated, and with each swing of the target a mechanical gong sounded. The new model, combining sight, motion and sound was dubbed the "Magnetic Flagman" and produced by the Magnetic Signal Company . First developed in concept by the Stanford Research Institute in the late 1950s at the request of the Southern Pacific Company (the Southern Pacific Railroad , now merged into
670-556: A red lantern in a side-to-side arc, used universally in the United States to signify "stop". This motion is still used today by railroad workers to indicate stop per the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) Rule 5.3.1. It was presumed that a mechanical device that mimicked that movement would get the attention of approaching motorists and give an unmistakable warning. The earliest wigwags used by Pacific Electric, built in
737-451: A reflective plate reading "YIELD" below the crossbuck, whose sides are bent backwards in order to catch and reflect at a right angle the light of an approaching train. The experiment's final report gave the device a favorable review; however, the plate, R15-9 "Crossbuck Shield", was rejected for inclusion in the 2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices . In Canada, crossbucks have a red border and no lettering. These were installed in
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#1732798090312804-459: A screen that was painted to look like the missing stripe. They were either mounted on an island in the center of the road or on the side of the road. The Magnetic Flagman wigwag waves its target using large, black electromagnets pulling against an iron armature. Sliding contacts switch the current from one magnet to the other. Each Magnetic Flagman includes a builder's plate (bottom center) detailing patent dates and power requirements. There were
871-406: A shutdown of the railway. It also permitted the relays to be housed in a separate, inexpensive cabinet, reducing the cost of the installation. The third and least common version was a pole-mounted lower-quadrant signal, with the motor box fixed to the top of an octagonal steel frame that surrounded the target, presumably to protect both banner and motor box from being damaged by road vehicles. Dubbed
938-439: A sign to indicate that multiple tracks must be crossed at a level crossing. In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S., a sign is mounted beneath the crossbuck (above the warning light assembly, if any) with the number of tracks. Many European countries use multiple crossbucks or additional chevrons ("half-crossbucks") below the first one. Taiwan also uses half-crossbucks below the regular crossbuck. Several countries include
1005-437: A thin black border and an inscription, for example, "RAILWAY CROSSING", "RAILROAD CROSSING", etc. If lateral clearance obstructs the placement of the sign, it may be rotated 90° so that its points are directed vertically. If used at a level crossing with more than one track, a half cross or a supplementary plate stating the number of tracks may be added below. It specified these models: It also specified multi-track models: In
1072-649: A total of 44 states have at least one railroad crossing having a wigwag as its warning device. A previous FRA publication from 1983 showed 2,618 crossings equipped with wigwags. The last wigwag on a main rail line, a Magnetic Flagman upper-quadrant at a rural crossing in Delhi, Colorado on the BNSF Railway , was removed in March 2021 and now resides at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Until destroyed by
1139-539: A truck in April 2004, a lower-quadrant Magnetic Flagman wigwag protected a private crossing of a BNSF line hidden from public view by a sound barrier in Pittsburg, California . The wigwag, the last "Model 10" in active use, was replaced by standard highway flashers. The Model 10 was distinguished by its short, low-hanging cantilever and use of crossbucks mounted higher than the cantilever. They were almost exclusively used by
1206-433: A white background, but there was no other change until a ruling that required the alternating red lights in use today. That, along with other rules about grade crossing signaling that the wigwags were unable to meet due to their power requirements, rendered them obsolete for new installations after 1949, but grandfathering laws allowed them to remain until the crossings they protected were upgraded. The Magnetic Signal Company
1273-655: A yellow background and the cross rotated 45 degrees into an "X". Some railroads, among them the Louisville and Nashville Railroad , used a concentric black circle on a white background, resembling a bullseye, but that scheme was rare, partly because the L&;N used few wigwags. Few wigwag signals currently remain in place, and the number dwindles as crossings are upgraded and spare parts become scarce. Once broken down and sold (or given away) as scrap as modern flashers took their place, they are now railroad collectibles, commanding
1340-401: Is composed of two slats of wood or metal of equal length, fastened together on a pole in a saltire formation (resembling the letter X). Crossbucks are often supplemented by electrical warnings of flashing lights, a bell, and/or a boom barrier that descends to block the road and prevent traffic from crossing the tracks. The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals , a multilateral treaty of
1407-1014: Is left preserved along the abandoned Victor Harbor railway line in Mount Barker, South Australia . In the Netherlands there was one wigwag; at a portal on the Damlaan in Leidschendam (the famous blue tramway line)(1924-1961) There are at least 5 wigwags left in Chile; one in Padre Hurtado, one outside San Felipe, and three in Llaillay. Unknown if they are in use. There have also been some in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Several wig-wag signals have been preserved at heritage railroads and museums, including, but not necessarily limited to
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#17327980903121474-720: Is on display at the Newport Railway Museum in Melbourne , Victoria, and one has been restored and now operates on the Puffing Billy Railway . An example or two of each signal still survive with collectors. A ruling by the United States Interstate Commerce Commission mandated a change in the target in the early 1930s. It required a change in the paint scheme from solid red to a black cross and border on
1541-441: Is seen in the 2004 film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events . Though Magnetic Signal manufactured a steel pole and cast-iron base for the purpose (which served as a cabinet for backup batteries and relays ), PE often mounted the cantilevers on the wooden poles that also supported the overhead catenary providing power for streetcars. That rendered batteries unnecessary, since any failure of PE's generators resulted in
1608-417: Is specific to the United States. Such equipment works as follows: The basic signal consists of flashing red lights , a crossbuck and an alarm (either a bell, a speaker that mimics a bell sound or an electronic siren), attached to a mast. At most crossings, the signals will activate about 30 seconds before the train arrives but there are sensors measuring speed so that the crossing knows when to activate; so,
1675-493: The Union Pacific Railroad ), and patented in 1966, the design goal of the level crossing predictor was to provide a consistent warning time for trains approaching a level crossing. Before this invention, the circuits used for activating a crossing's warning devices were very simple, activated whenever a train came within a fixed distance (hundreds or thousands of feet) of the crossing. This method required that
1742-415: The "peach basket" because of the protective framework, the apparatus was crowned by another visual warning, the traditional X-shaped "RAILROAD CROSSING" sign, or crossbucks . The majority of peach baskets were used by the Union Pacific Railroad . One version of the signal had the lower stripe on the banner replaced with the word stop that was lighted. When the signal was at rest, the words were hidden behind
1809-648: The 1922 Magnetic Flagman catalog. Collector and notable film director, Chris M. Allport owns and operates a restored, lower-quadrant Magnetic Flagman (made in Minneapolis) wigwag at his studio in Los Angeles, California . A single lower-quadrant wigwag in the industrial city of Vernon, California , once protected a crossing on 49th Street with eight separate tracks on the BNSF Harbor Subdivision . A link between downtown Los Angeles and
1876-425: The 1980s shortly after English-French bilingualism was made official, replacing signs of a style similar to those used in the U.S., except the word "RAILWAY" was used instead of "RAILROAD" and in certain areas the words "TRAVERSE DE CHEMIN DE FER" were used. In Mexico, the crossbucks read "CRUCERO FERROCARRIL", a literal translation of its U.S. counterpart. Older designs read "CUIDADO CON EL TREN", meaning "beware of
1943-632: The Autoflag #5 and the Magnetic Flagman. The swing of the banner was produced through a drive shaft. Some of them, particularly on the Boston & Maine Railroad, had chase lights mounted above the banner that simulated the movement of the banner. The last one of this type with the chase lights was removed in 1985 and US&S wigwags were thought to have disappeared from the USA until the discovery of
2010-604: The CASO sub was abandoned and the wigwags were removed. The wigwags at the crossing that mark the location of the western terminus of the BNSF Railway (successor to the Santa Fe ) on West Richmond Avenue in Point Richmond, CA became pawns in a fight over local control in 2001 when BNSF said it was going to remove them once they installed more modern devices, after the state's transportation authority pressured it to upgrade
2077-570: The Midwest, with almost every town using them to protect their main crossings. The most common model was called the Autoflag #5. They functioned in much the same way as the Magnetic Flagmen. They utilized alternating electromagnets to swing a shaft with an attached illuminated banner. Bells were not integral to the devices as with the Magnetic Flagmen. They employed standard bells that were used on other types of signals, and mounted either to
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2144-879: The Santa Fe, although there were also a few of this model on the Southern Pacific. In 2011–12, working replica wigwags were installed at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California along the Red Car Trolley as well as show wigwags that were placed in Radiator Springs Racers . Anaheim had a working signal along the Union Pacific Costa Mesa branch at Lemon and Santa Ana Streets before being removed on February 25, 2019. This same signal may have been featured in
2211-399: The US and Canada. Most of these wigwags were removed in the 1970-1980s as crossings were updated. They were made in both a lower quadrant style and a center harp style similar to the Magnetic Flagman's peachbasket style. Early on, there were Autoflag #5s that would hold the banner behind a shield much like the Magnetic Flagman disappearing banner-style. These were replaced as time went on with
2278-492: The United Nations with the intention of standardizing traffic signs around the world, prescribes several different regulations for the "crossbuck" sign. The sign should consist of two arms not less than 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) long, crossed in the form of an [REDACTED] . The first model may have a white or yellow background with a thick red or black border. The second model may have a white or yellow background with
2345-865: The United States as of 2022. All 14 are in California. There is also a non-working example located in Pullman, Washington . This is stark contrast from Federal Railroad Administration data from 2004, showing there were 1,098 railroad crossings in the United States having one or more wigwags as their warning device. Of those 1,098 crossings having wigwags, 398 were in California , 117 in Wisconsin , 97 in Illinois , 66 in Texas and 45 in Kansas . The 2004 data showed
2412-443: The United States, the crossbuck carries the words "RAIL" and "ROAD" on one arm and "CROSSING" on the other ("RAIL" and "ROAD" are separated by the "CROSSING" arm), in black text on a white background. Older variants simply used black and white paint; newer installations use a reflective white material with non-reflective lettering. Some antique U.S. crossbucks were painted in other color schemes, and used glass " cat's eye " reflectors on
2479-451: The advent of the automobile, travel speeds were increasing and the popularity of enclosed cars made the concept of "stop, look, and listen" at railroad crossings difficult. Fatalities at crossings were increasing. Though the idea of automatic grade crossing protection was not new, no one had invented a fail-safe , universally recognized system. In those days, many crossings were protected by a watchman who warned of an oncoming train by swinging
2546-595: The area that they were near-icons of Southern California motoring. Their popularity led to Magnetic Signal wigwags appearing at railroad crossings across the United States—including on Alaska's Copper River and Northwestern Railway and on several Hawaiian railroads—and across Canada, Mexico, and as far away as Australia. There are also photographs of the Magnetic Flagman in use in Europe. Three mechanically-identical versions were produced. The upper-quadrant model
2613-466: The cross is white with red trimmings or ends, sometimes on a rectangular background; in Finland and Greece the cross is yellow, trimmed with red. Taiwan uses two crossbucks: a version with a yellow and black cross, and one with the cross in white with a red border. A special symbol in the center indicates an electric railroad crossing, cautioning road users about excessive height cargo that may contact
2680-409: The crossing be designed to accommodate a train approaching at the track speed limit, which leads to longer warning times for trains approaching the crossing at lower speeds. Very slow trains could have many minutes of warning time, thus delaying highway traffic unnecessarily. All level crossing predictors rely on the changes in the electrical characteristics of the rails that occur as a train approaches
2747-524: The crossing. Nevertheless, in July 2019 the two upper wig wags were put operative again after the Richmond community raised funds ($ 2,000) to restore the devices, which had been out of use for 18 years. The two upper-quadrant wigwags are the last of their kind paired together in active use. Both wigwags remain as non-operative decorations at the crossing, coexisting with the modern gates, red lights and bells. In
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2814-499: The electric wires. In Australia, the crossbuck is a St Andrews Cross as in Europe, but uses words and the same color as the American crossbuck. In contrast to the American "RAILROAD CROSSING", Australian signs say "RAILWAY CROSSING" or "TRAMWAY CROSSING". (Most cases where a tram in its own right-of-way crosses a road do not use a crossbuck and so are regular intersections rather than level crossings.) Different countries may classify
2881-456: The following: Grade crossing signal Level crossings can be operated in various ways. In some countries such as the UK, the warning devices are more often than not activated by remote control, I.e. an operator pressing buttons. However, the majority of countries have automated systems. Automated level crossings are found in most developed nations and vary greatly, but this page in particular
2948-536: The interest of safety, information signs were posted at the wigwags stating that the wigwags are non-operational. The ability to be activated by trains was retained, but only for special events. On the episode of American Restoration aired on April 16, 2013, a pair of WRRS Autoflag #5 wigwag signals were restored for the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nevada . In Australia, a wigwag
3015-653: The latter state featuring a different signal produced by Bryant-Zinc purchased by the Railroad Supply Company, which later became the Western Railroad Supply Company (WRRS). The signal was removed sometime in late April 2020. Its removal and that of the Anaheim signal the previous year marked the end of Southern California wigwags still in revenue service. Wigwags manufactured by WRRS and its predecessors were once numerous in
3082-480: The letters to make them stand out. Other countries, such as China, also use this layout, but with appropriately localized terms. Often, a supplemental sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks at the crossing. A special kind of crossing sign assembly was introduced on an experimental basis in Ohio in 1992, the "Buckeye Crossbuck". It included an enhanced crossbuck, reflective and with red lettering, and also
3149-650: The mast or to a bracket on the top of the center harp style, as in the Devil's Lake, WI photo. Autoflag #5s were widely used on the Chicago & North Western (C&NW), Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q), Illinois Central , Soo Line and the Milwaukee Road Railroads. A few were also used on the Louisville & Nashville and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) as well as other roads in
3216-424: The point at which the predictor is connected to the rails (the feedpoint). A railroad track occupied by a train or other electrical shunt can be viewed as a single-turn inductor shaped like a hairpin. As the train approaches the feedpoint, the area enclosed by the inductor diminishes, thus reducing the inductance . This inductance can be measured by connecting a constant-current alternating current source to
3283-457: The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, this line currently sees less traffic since the completion of the more direct Alameda Corridor between downtown and the harbor. This project eliminated many at-grade crossings along Alameda Street and a number of Southern Pacific wigwags remaining from the PE era. Those remaining protect crossings of lightly used spur lines primarily in California and Wisconsin,
3350-431: The railroad's shops, were gear-driven, but proved difficult to maintain. The final design, first installed in 1914 at a busy crossing near Long Beach, California , utilized alternating electromagnets pulling on an iron armature . A red steel target disc, slightly less than two feet (610 mm) in diameter was attached, which served as a pendulum. There was a red light in the center of the target, and with each swing of
3417-416: The rails at the outer ends. This assumes that there are no ordinary track circuits for block signalling purposes. Two predictor circuits may overlap, with tuned circuits used for one predictor to jump over the other. The tuned loops would be a dead short for one predictor, and an open circuit for the other. Crossbuck A crossbuck is a traffic sign used to indicate a level railway crossing . It
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#17327980903123484-408: The rails, and measuring the voltage which results. By Ohm's Law , the voltage measured will be proportional to the impedance. The absolute magnitude of this voltage and its rate of change can then be used to compute the amount of time remaining before the train arrives at the crossing, assuming it is running at a constant speed. The crossing's warning devices are activated when the computed time for
3551-444: The road and blocks entry. The barriers will be fully lowered 15 to 20 seconds before the train arrives (US), and will rise and the signals will shut off once the end of the train clears the island circuit. Automatic crossings generally have no or half-width barriers to prevent cars and pedestrians from becoming trapped on the tracks with no escape, and manually-operated crossings have full-width barriers (either 2 or 4 arms which block
3618-521: The secondary light was illuminated, there was an issue with burned out bulbs in the main light. Wigwags were also manufactured by Union Switch and Signal (US&S). They were primarily used in the northeastern US, with a few in Florida, although the Frisco had some in the Great Plains. An example was also pictured in a review of Hawaiian sugar cane railroads from the 1940s. They were manufactured in both
3685-562: The sign differently. For example, in Australia it is considered a regulatory sign , while in close neighbour New Zealand it is considered a warning sign . Some countries, such as Australia, France, New Zealand, Slovakia and Slovenia may place the crossbuck design on a "target board", while other countries quite often do not. In the United Kingdom, it is only used for crossings with no barriers or signal lights. Several countries use
3752-533: The slower the train is, the longer the delay and the faster the train is, the earlier the crossing activates. In some countries (such as the Czech Republic or Slovakia ) there is also a flashing white light, which means that it is possible to pass the level crossing at a higher speed than generally allowed. At many crossings, there will be a barrier (or "gate" in the US) added to the signal, which descends over
3819-686: The specimen in Joplin. There are a number of US&S wigwags that have been preserved and restored by museums. US&S and WRRS wigwags were also used by the CPR on its Canadian lines. There were two wig-wags in service in Canada, located on the CN CASO sub near Tilbury, Ontario. Both were WRRS Autoflag #5s with disappearing banners. Disappearing banners were the only style of wigwag approved for use in Canada. They were slated to be removed in early 2009, although they were still in place as of November 2009. In 2011,
3886-455: The standard two-position banner that hung vertically when not energized. Several railroad, such as the GM&;O and CB&Q, had a second light below the main light on the banner. This served as a second reserve light in case of failure of both bulbs in the main light and as a signal maintainers' warning of a burned-out bulb without having to climb up and open the main light to check each bulb. If
3953-404: The target a mechanical gong sounded. The new model, combining sight, motion and sound, was dubbed the magnetic flagman , and was manufactured by the Magnetic Signal Company of Los Angeles, California , though it is unclear exactly when production began. After the distinctive signals were installed, train and car collisions decreased at PE grade crossings. The signs became so common throughout
4020-411: The train to reach the crossing is equal to the programmed threshold time. The earliest level crossing predictors used analog computers to perform this calculation, but modern equipment uses digital microprocessors . A predictor includes a short "island" track which just covers the width of the level crossing. A predictor circuit in the middle of nowhere is usually terminated with a dead short across
4087-609: The train". In Argentina, the most common legend is "PELIGRO FERROCARRIL" ("danger: railroad"). Other crosses also read "CUIDADO CON LOS TRENES - PARE MIRE ESCUCHE ("beware of the trains - stop, look, listen") for the Ferrocarril Belgrano , "PASO A NIVEL - FERRO CARRIL" for the Ferrocarril Mitre and "CUIDADO CON LOS TRENES" ("beware of the trains") for the Ferrocarril Roca . In parts of Europe,
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#17327980903124154-442: The whole road). However, a number of counties automate fully-closed crossings anyway despite the obvious dangers; however, many such crossings are accompanied by obstacle detection sensors to ensure the tracks are clear. The time interval may be controlled by a level crossing predictor, an electronic device which is connected to the rails of a railroad track, and activates the crossing's warning devices (lights, bells, gates, etc.) at
4221-413: Was intended to be cantilevered from a pole, over road traffic. Some railroads, especially in the north-western US, mounted their lower quadrant versions directly on top of a tall steel pole similar to the upper quadrant signal. They were placed on one side of the road, or on an island in the center of the road, and often had crossbucks fastened on top of the motor box. A lower quadrant signal of that kind
4288-407: Was mounted directly atop a steel pole and waved the target above the motor box. It was intended for use where space was limited. Since the target could not serve as the pendulum, a cast iron counterweight opposite the target was used. Accurate computer-generated animation of that type of signal can be seen in the 2006 movie, Cars . The lower-quadrant version waved the target below the motor box and
4355-528: Was offered, as was an "OUT OF ORDER" warning sign that dropped into view if power to the signal was interrupted. There was a rare adjustable turret-style mount for properly aiming the signal if space did not allow the cantilever to fully extend over the roadway. The last known example of the turret-mounted wigwag was removed from service in Gardena, California in 2000, while the versions with the warning signs were mostly shipped to Australia . One surviving example
4422-570: Was sold to the Griswold Signal Company of Minneapolis shortly after World War II . Production of new signals continued until 1949, and replacement parts until 1960. The symbol of a black cross on a white background was adopted in the US as the traffic sign warning drivers about an unprotected grade crossing and was incorporated into the corporate logo of the Santa Fe Railroad . It remains in use today, although with
4489-492: Was the nickname given to a type of crossing signals once common in North America, named for the pendulum -like motion it used to signal the approach of a train. Albert Hunt , a mechanical engineer at Southern California 's Pacific Electric (PE) interurban streetcar railroad, invented it in 1909 for safer railroad level crossings. He utilized alternating electromagnets pulling on an iron armature . A red steel target disc, slightly less than two feet in diameter, serving as
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