Can anyone identify this signal?

[NSlover92]

I purchased it at a sale in Fremont Ohio any information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[rcdrye]

Looks like a two head tricolor signal, probably taken off the top of a relay box, which is where the big flange on the bottom went.  Conrail and CSX replaced lots of ex-NYC searchlight signals with these.  SP and CRI&P were also big users.  Your unit most likely came from an interlocking, where the two heads can provide several indications.  The lack of a number plate would indicate an "absolute" signal, where both lights red mean "stop and stay".

Both General Railway Signal and Union Switch and Signal made versions of the basic design. I'm not enough of an expert to tell you what yours is.

[NP Eddie]

Mike:

I have never seen that type of signal, however, I would recommend reading Brian Solomon's "Railroad Signaling" or "Classic Railroad Signals, Semaphores, Seachlights, and Towers".  They were not used on the NP or GN.

A recommendation: clean up the metal parts and repaint with primer and gloss black. Then place in a garden (making sure it is in plumb. Convert the wiring and light receptables to 110V and use 20 or 40 small bulbs. Plug in and enjoy. You might want to program a computer to run the lights through a cycle. 

I did that about 15 years ago, with a three position light and mast from a scrap pile at a BN shop. The Signal Supervisor gave me permission to remove from BN property.

Ed Burns

Happily retired NP-BN-BNSF from Minneapolis.

Call me on my cell 763-234-9306 with questions. No--I am not crazy for giving you my cell.

[rcdrye]

A little further look says you have a tri-light head of the type used by Conrail to replace both searchlight and position light signals. Search for "railroad tri-light signals" and you'll find lots of example pictures.

Since you signal has two heads and no number plate it probably came from an interlocking, a place where tracks cross or trains meet, so it lived its life near a switch or a siding.  The signal's indications are the same as if the lights were arranged in a vertical row,  red on the bottom, amber on the left, green on the right.  Some roads put green on the left.  Your signal is missing the "hoods" over the individual lenses.

[Dragoman]

Several responders here have commented on the lack of number boards. But isn't it possible that they were removed before Mike got a hold of the unit? And if that is a possibility, wouldn't their lack be inconclusive?

[Firelock76]

Possibly, but look at it this way, Mike's scored a really neat piece of railroadinana!

Even better, he's apparantly got a place to keep it as well!

Mike, if you're checking in you may want to check this website:

www.railroadiana.org.

All sorts of cool railroad collectable information there.