RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.

EARLY RAILROAD SIGNALS

This page covers signals that have (mostly) gone the way of the steam engine.  Pretty soon, we will be able to add B&O CPL's to this page at the rate they are being replaced by color light signals.


At the top of the page:  CIND #2252, a high-nose GP-30, passing a tilting target signal in Kokomo IN.

Ball

Banner Box

Banjo

Banjo signals work by an actuating mechanism pulling a hoop covered with a colored piece of fabric, in front of an opening so the engineer could see it by day, and some of them had a much smaller window at the top which was illuminated for night time operation - the color was the same as the main indication.  These signals were not failsafe as later signals were, as power applied would normally activate the red indication.

There are few remaining examples of this signal type around.  Julie Johnson of the Illinois Railway Museum estimates that there are around a dozen or so of these signals left in existence, the majority of which are in museum collections.  I am aware of banjo signals at the IRM in Union IL, Orange Empire in Perris CA, and the Railroad Museum of PA, in Strasburg.   The first picture set below is from one of the few known signals that is in private hands.

        
The pictures above are of a banjo signal that recently sold on EBay for $15,000, the auction ended on Sep 14th, 2007.  Altho the listing stated that the date on the signal was 1843, the signal was probably from much later, and the electric was probably not added until the early 1900's.  Looking at the photo below, you can easily see how the mounting bracket was attached to the mast and used to support the signal.

This photo, by Donald Wise, was taken in Reading PA, sometime in the early 40's (I believe)....ah, the good ole days!  This is one of the very few pictures I have come across on the internet and was well "hidden".


Another photo I came across on the internet, not sure where, but it shows a banjo installation on the CNW in Iowa.  Notice the semaphore also in use, possibly in conjunction with the banjo signal?
 

Smashboards

Tilting Targets

  
As mentioned above, CIND GP-30 #2252 passing a tilting target in Kokomo IN in 1999.

         
 
Here's the remains of a tilting target signal I came across on a business trip back in 2004 in New Castle PA, about 45 minutes NW of Pittsburgh.  Be sure to check out the New Castle Industrial RR while you're there.

Semaphores

Semaphore signals have their own section.

If you have anything to contribute, please send it and a description to toddgp30@yahoo.com...

New 10-6-2006
Last Modified On: 12-Jul-2010