From this angle the crossing signal seems oddly placed, although a nifty historical relic.
|
That old crossing signal, which looks like a Griswold, doesn't appear to be protecting anything.
|
| Posted by Dana M. on January 27, 2021 | |
Matthew - very interesting photo, and the crossing signal that looks like a Griswold, though is NOT protecting a crossing, it had once before. I looked up Cherryville, NC on Google Maps and found this location at the Dick Beam Road grade crossing. From the satellite view, you can clearly see the remnants of a railroad right-of-way where this signal sits. The footprint of the rail line, plus what looks like site of some kind of industry or business are clearly visible where this photo was taken. It appears that this crossing signal used to protect a crossing, perhaps the entrance driveway to the former business that used to be located on the now empty parcel of land seen in this photo. I'd like to know the story about this location and if, in fact, this signal is indeed a Griswold. I love the KCS Southern Belle paint scheme too!
|
My hometown, Dubuque, Iowa, had Griswold signals protecting crossings where the Illinois Central and the Milwaukee Road ran thru downtown. They were operated manually with big toggle switches worked by a guy in a watchtower 24/7/365. I thought they were nifty too, but apparently they developed maintenance problems as they aged. They were removed when a major highway project pulled up two tracks and eliminated most of the street crossings.
|
|