BNSF - Shop-Made Lineside Signal?

[MP57313]

In Vernon, CA, on the BNSF Harbor Sub a few blocks south of Malabar yard, there is a "home-made" signal over the track. It is mounted on a standard line-side pole, and has small red and green lights in a wire-mesh enclosure (protection from vandals?).

Anyone familiar with this type of signal...is it just a low-cost option to the standard type of railroad signals?

There is a similar signal on the UP/PE at the Slauson Jct wye, though that one is more like a dwarf signal.

MP

[tree68]

Are the red and green lights directional? (ie, can they only be seen from one direction...) Is there something there that would perhaps be more easily done with an "unofficial" signal (like a holdout)? I'm thinking this was an informal way of notifying a crew that the "way" was clear for a movement, possibly controlled by a switchman or something.

[mudchicken]

It used to be the fixed approach signal for Redondo Junction and was a permanent yellow. (Malabar Yard is in yard limits in dark territory) ....apparently after Redondo Tower came down, some modifications were made with the new interlocking plant that is at the top of the Alameda Hole-In-Da-Ground. Not exactly the choicest of neighborhoods and thus the chicken wire. (almost sounds like a hydraulic switch is at the bottom and top of Malabar Yard which was a rigid switch famous for being run through by through trains who forgot they were in yard limits and not TWC.

[MP57313]

Thanks for the responses. The lights are only visible for trains heading out-bound (harbor-bound) from LA.

The permanent yellow light signal is still in place on the other side (west of) of the Slauson crossing location. Agree Vernon is not so great, but the Slauson Ave. area looks even worse! Ridden by on the Blue Line through the area and never wanted to get off there...

[edblysard]

Sounds like a switch point position indicator light to me...for a radio controled switch?
Inside yard limits...you might go a little farther back(away) and see if there is a sign with some radio channels on it, one for diverging and one for through route, we have a few of these down here, you have to get within the circut of the signal, and then use your radio to line the switch.

Ed

[mudchicken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MP57313

Thanks for the responses. The lights are only visible for trains heading out-bound (harbor-bound) from LA.

The permanent yellow light signal is still in place on the other side (west of) of the Slauson crossing location. Agree Vernon is not so great, but the Slauson Ave. area looks even worse! Ridden by on the Blue Line through the area and never wanted to get off there...

Lucky you - you've been spared the Goodyear District (Slauson & Western) which the railroads abandoned in the late 1990's, served by SP(PE) and ATSF.......Slauson & Alameda is timetable station "Nadeau" near MP 3, (MP 0 = Redondo Jcn) the line does diverge until near MP 26 at Watson Yard (left to port of Long Beach via SP or right to Wilmington/ LA Port Facility via LAHRR(Anacostia & Pacific Shortline).

Goodyear District drained $500,000.00 a year in trash removal costs due to illegal dumping out of this roadmaster's budget in the 1990's. (Don't ask me what I think of the boobs at LA City Hall/Administration)[xx(][xx(][xx(]