LIRR Semaphore Signals

[Bob.M]

 I found this in a box of my father's old negatives. No date nor location given, but I think I have figured out the location. Please see the comments beneath the picture in this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11157878@N06/4532736855

Sorry, that link don't work right, but it does get you to my collection of train pix on Flickr.

Here are the comments I put there:

This may be Rosedale, NY. The church tower looks like St. Clare's. The bridges look like Southern State Parkway where it turns north after paralleling Sunrise Highway, heading east. The other clue is the 3 semaphores. At this point of the LIRR, there is a choice when heading west, to go straight to Laurelton, while the right turn takes the train to Springfield Gardens. 

Here is a link to the pi ture without the comments. Ain't modern technology great?

[timz]

The signal bridge might even still be there?

 http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qs9wwv8vnbqs&scene=52666508&lvl=2&sty=o

The church

 http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qsb7px8vnrx7&scene=52666510&lvl=2&sty=o

[Bob.M]

timz

The signal bridge might even still be there?

 http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qs9wwv8vnbqs&scene=52666508&lvl=2&sty=o

 

That sure looks like the place, but it looks like the LIRR doesn't use semaphores any more. Maybe lights similar to what the PRR used.

[henry6]

Yes, the LIRR went from semaphore to PRR position lights and now color light or searchlight type signaling.   The picture evidently is from the 30's or 40's when electrification and grade separations were being done east of Jamaica.  I am not versed enough in LI to name the location, so it could be and probably is Rosedale.

[timz]

I guess that can't be the actual same signal bridge-- the present bridge is maybe a couple hundred feet west of the one in the pic, which must have been removed when they built the Parkway under the LIRR; the signal bridge happened to be right in the way of the Parkway. Parkway was built... middle 1930s?

The RR power-line poles are different from the current ones, too.

[Bob.M]

 Here is the signal bridge at that location, from Google Maps - Street View. I can't see any signals on it. Have they been replaced with some radio signal based technology?

[henry6]

Yes. New cab signaling and technology has done away with wayside signals on many lines...except for interlockings.  It is somewhat unsettling to be steaming along in full flight and not see a signal ahead until a crossover or interlocking!  MNRR and LIRR have quite a bit installed and NJT is beginning to.