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Letters Archives

May, 2000---June, 2000

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Central California Update...                            6/30/00

Hi Dan,

Sorry I didn't get this off to you sooner, but I've been busy (partially while out photographing trains!).
Earlier this month I tracked down some of the wigwags listed on your site. I covered all those listed on the
Central California section of your website (excluding the Bakersfield one) plus the ones in Martinez
and Pittsburg.

It started with a trip over to Martinez and Pittsburg on June 2nd. The Martinez one was still there and in
operation, but the new crossing gate was partially installed. I won't be long for this one...

On to Pittsburg. Well, the wigwag is still there, but unfortunately for me, US Steel is doing some construction
between the RR crossing and the end of Columbia St. A pile of dirt obscured about 2/3'rds of the wigwag from
view. I guess I'll have to make another trip to get the whole thing.

On June 5-6-7, I made a trip down the San Joaquin Valley looking for wigwags. I managed to find all 15
wigwags listed in the Central California section on your website!! I was looking for others, but didn't find any. I really
covered the ex-SP Exeter Branch good, so it's doubtful there are any others out there. The details:

June 5
Oakdale wigwag same as it has been for years. E St. is in the process of being repaved, but they didn't
appear to be doing anything to the wigwag.

Checked out all 4 of the known wigwags in the Fresno are that evening. They sure aren't that far
apart from each other. They looked more or less the same as they do in the photos on your website.

June 6
Headed down to the wigwags again to begin following the Exeter Branch. To my surprise, the wigwag
at Van Ness/California was going!!! I jumped out of the car with my video camera and began filming.
Soon SJVR 2043 came into view and stopped. They were switching some cars back near the SP main. The
shoved back and made several moves, with the wigwag going the whole time. Even when they
were working out of sight several blocks away the wigwag kept going. From there I headed east/south on
the Exeter Branch. First stop was in Locans. This was my favorite wigwag on the entire trip. I was photographing it
for about 15 minutes and not a single car went by. This one is at about milepost 213.

A short drive down the road was Sanger. The wigwag is on 7th St. It is MP 219.7.

Next stop was in Reedley. The wigwag at MP 229.7 is on 10th St., not 11th St. The 13th St. wigwag is at MP 230.0.

From there I was off to Lindsay. By the time I got there, ash from a nearby fire was raining down on me, but I
quickly jumped out of the car for a few pictures of each wigwag. The former ATSF wigwags are on trackage that
is now owned by the Tulare Valley Railroad which in turn is operated by the SJVR. The track has been ripped
up starting just south of Lindsay, and is now just a 8.8 mile "spur" that connects to the outside world (the ex-SP tracks)
in Exeter. Didn't see any cars on the ex-ATSF trackage, but I didn't venture down to the end of the track
(about a half mile south of town), so maybe there is something there. The SP wigwag in town is at MP 264.6.

I continued down the Exeter branch all the way to Famoso where it rejoins the SP mainline. From Lindsay to
Famoso you can follow right along side the tracks except for in the town of Porterville and for a brief distance
south of Ducor. During this long stretch I didn't see any wigwags. What I did find, however, is that the track is
completely gone from MP 295 to MP 304. A few SP ABS signals still remain on the southern portion of the line, including
a few sets that still had the signal heads on them. Weird. During the 11-mile stretch were the tracks were abandoned, there
was even a signal. I wonder why they didn't pull it down when the tracks were being removed?

The next day (June 7) I followed the ex-SP Coalinga Branch all the way to Coalinga. I only found the 3
wigwags listed on your site. The one at Brown St. in Hanford is at MP 252.3 while the one at Phillips St. is at MP
252.6. This one is only a block east of the BNSF main. You can easily see the passing BNSF/Amtrak trains from the
crossing. In Lemoore, the Fox St. wigwag is at MP 260.9.

That's it! It sure was fun to track down and photograph these wigwags. I'm
ready to take another trip along the Exeter & Coalinga Branches.

Scott Thomas
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Medford Wigwag to Stay...                              6/27/00

I found out today that the wigwag in Medford, OR will not be removed
during downtown Medford's upgrade. The upgrades will only be made to
4th-10th streets. Now with Yoncalla gone, it looks like Three Pines
Rd. in Hugo will be the only other wigwag to be removed anytime soon.
Dole Rd. is not even being discussed anymore regarding upgrade.

This is good news for all who cheers on the living days of wigwags.

Rick Perry
This letter appeared on the CORPFan email group on eGroups.com
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Bay Area Updates...                                              6/27/00

Visited both of these wigwags yesterday (Sunday).  Martinez is
the same as it was a couple of weeks ago - the new gate/flashers
next to the wigwag are still turned to the side, and the foundation on
the other side of the tracks still doesn't have a set of lights/flashers
on it.  At Pittsburg, some sort of new road construction is taking
place just south of the tracks.  The upshot is that the fence that
blocked views of the wigwag from the locked gate is gone.  The
gate is still there, but you can get clearer shots of the wigwag
through it.  Don't know if the wigwag will survive the road construction,
but we can hope.  The crossing bell on the mast functions once again.

Evan Werkema
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Oakdale wigwag future in question...       6/25/00

Dan,

I was in Oakdale on 6-23-00 the street the wig-wag is on is closed and is being redone.
The crossing is still the same right now and did not see any new markings or equipment ,
dont know if the wig wag is too be replaced. I could not get any info so
I thought you pass this info a long.
Thank you

Charles Bruner
Mentone Ca.

If you live in this area, please keep an eye on it for us and let us know
if there are any changes. -DF
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Wigwag for auction!...                                        6/23/00

Dan,

Wig Wag Signal to be auctioned on saturday july 8, 2000 at Topeka Ks.
Railroad collection of Steve "Pack Rat" Cregut.

For more information or brochure contact, Dale Weien, auction manager,
2427 Riley Rd., Ottawa, Ks 66067. Phone 1-785-242-1271 or
1-785-242-8472.  Brochure that I have does not name the manufacturer of
this Wig Wag.

Vic Cross
(restoring a WRRS Wig Wag)
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Some bad news from the Northwest...    6/23/00

There use to be two locations on Washington States BNSF Granger line
 that had wig-wags. One of the locations near the start of the brach was
removed sometime last year. It is the wig-wag now in the back of the
 rail-museum at Pasco that I sent you a photo of. (Which does in fact
 make it an ex-NP wig-wag.)

And now for more bad news.
Willamette Industries just closed the doors at it's flagship Plywood
mill in Dallas, Oregon today, laying off 170 workers. One of the two
remaining wig-wag in Dallas serves the entrance to the now closed plant.
This puts the future of the Plywood mill buildings as well as the ex-SP
magnetic flagman in uncertain light. Presumably the Willamette and
Pacific Railroad will continue to serve the Willamette Industries
Sawmill just beyond the wig-wag; so as long as the Plywood entrance
crossing is not deactivated, the wig-wag should continue to serve it's
community... for now....

Camron, who would be more than happy to share good news if he was in
 possession of any.
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Wigwags found in Illinois...                               6/15/00

Hello,

There are TWO wigwags in the town of Divernon, IL, on the Illinois Central's original line to St. Louis.

Divernon is located at exit #80 on I-55, about 10-20 miles south of Springfield.  The two wigwags are
in town at the South St. x-ing, and at Kennedy St. x-ing, which is adjacent to South St.

I just heard about them this week, and did visually confirm that they DO exist, as I took some b/w photos
of each of them.  They look like they are well maintained, albeit a little beat up and dented.

Operations:  Haven't done any photos yet, and have heard that the operations is sporadic/semi-predictable
at best.  This line is essentially a branch for the IC now, and it ends at Farmersville, about 10 miles south
of Divernon.  The only train, and I have yet to confirm this, goes down and back on Tues., Thurs., and Sat.,
and that it is a coal train.  At I-55 exit 82 (Pawnee), there is a siding there, which passes under I-55, is
used to store coal hoppers.

Hope this helps your library and I will endeavor to confirm the operations on this line.

Happy wag hunting,

Jason Schannot
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Yoncalla Wigwag to be removed VERY soon...        5/29/00

Hey folks,

I said I would let you know as soon as I heard something about the
Yoncalla wigwag. Well, RA has processed the private crossing
agreement and MOW installed a gate at the crossing on Friday (from
what I was told). Ken Jenks (signal maintainer) says he will remove
the wigwag ASAP. I mentioned that he needed to ensure that private
crossing signs were up and in place before removing the wigwag. He
said he is gonna try to pull it out within the next week or two.
Better go get them pictures!

Rick Perry

It was removed on 5/31/00. Pictures of it's removal coming soon.

This added on 5/31/00

The decision was made this morning regarding the future of the
Yoncalla wigwag...it has none. It will be used for spare parts. The
wigwag at Three Pines Rd. will be sold along with the wigwag at 10th
St. in Medford. Since the wigwag in Medford doesn't have a magnetic
flagman base, the one from Yoncalla will be included in the sale of
the 10th St. wigwag. That way both wigwags that are sold will be
complete with a base.

Rick Perry
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Bakersfield wigwag retired...                                                      5/27/00

Dan,

I have sad news to report. The wigwag at the
"K" street crossing in Bakersfield was removed last
week, the week of May 15th through the 20th as part of
a signal upgrade project. The CTC is being extended
from the current end at the BNSF yard office to Kern
Junction. The crossing was removed in it's entirety.

Denny Dollohon
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Hugo Wigwag on it's way out...                                             5/25/00
Updates on Medford and Yoncalla...

The Three Pines Rd. wigwag is now being controlled by 2000 technology.
Tom Hunt and I have finished wiring the new case with the new
crossing controller. Once the new power service is installed, the old
style b case that used to control it will be removed. The only
purpose now for the style b is to provide temporary power to the new
case. Three Pines Rd. will remain being controlled by the new
controller until the gates are installed. When will this be? It
depends. I have to install new crossing controllers at both crossings
in Merlin. If we are still waiting on parts for the electrocode side
of this project, I will begin installing the gates. If the
electrocode material is waiting on me, I will probably install the
electrocode and remove the semaphores before installing new gates at
Three Pines. Basically, it is up to the suppliers when Three Pines is
removed. I will continue giving updates as the time gets closer.

As for Yoncalla, still waiting for headquarters to finish processing
the private crossing agreement before removing that wigwag. As soon
as we get word, I'll post it to the CORPfan list.

As for the wigwag in downtown Medford, haven't heard an approximate
date for this project yet. I know it's suppose to happen later this
year or early next year. If you see construction beginning in
downtown Medford, the time is near. I'll try to update on this one as
I find out info, too.

                   Enjoy,
                   Rick Perry
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Martinez Wigwag in danger...                                                  5/16/00

Dear Dan,

Just a quick note to let you know I visited the wigwag at "K" street in Bakersfield last Monday night.
The sad news is the wigwag's mechanical bell is either not working or has been disconnected (most likely).
The mechanical bell has been replaced by an electronic bell mounted on the mast (horror of all possible horrors!!)
The wig wag swings about 1/2 as fast as the bell "rings".

Also the signal gang has installed new signal foundations at the crossing protected by the wigwag at Martinez
on the Moccoco line. I'm sure it will be comming out in the next month or two, as a new house for the electronic
control circuits is in place also. Just wanted to keep you updated.

Have a good one.

Denny D.
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Wigwags in Missouri...                                                                  5/16/00

There are two on the BNSF Chi-KC main line.  One at Camden and one near
Baring MP 280.5, both face south.

Camden is a small town East of Orrick and southwest of Richmond (25
miles east of KC).  There is only one RR crossing in the town.  The wig
wag mast has a sign on it that says "Stop When Swinging".  The other one
is on a farmers drive near milepost 280.5 (near Baring).

Robert Lambrecht
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Another CORP Update...(Photos opps!)                             5/14/00

CORP is operating a work train south of Dillard for the next few weeks. This means there is a daytime
train running through the Dole Rd. wig wag. This wig wag is right next to the Umpqua River for a
great photo opportunity. The work train is dumping about 50 carloads of ballast between
Dillard and the Cow Creek canyon. If I have time, I may just give Dole Rd. a facelift in the next
couple of days for you guys that would like some good pictures. The banner that I would
be replacing it with is a repro. I've thought about doing this for two reasons:
1) Dan Furtado (Dan's Wigwag Site) has offered to restore the original banner (disk), and
2) I'd rather pictures be taken of a disk without duct tape all over it.

The work train goes through Dole Rd. in late morning (approx. 9-10 am) and returns in the afternoon
(2-3 pm). As most of you know, I have alot going on with the big project between Hugo and Grants Pass,
but will try to find the time to give this wigwag a nice look for you all.

We're still waiting to hear from headquarters regarding the private crossing agreement at Main St.
in Yoncalla. As soon as we receive word that the crossing agreement is final, we will be removing the
Yoncalla wigwag. I asked about it again today and they are suppose to let me know.

Three Pines Rd. has had it's new pipe drilled under the road and the pull boxes and sweeps have
been installed. I am currently working on trying to get my monthly inspections completed.
As soon as I am done with those, I will be going headstrong on Three Pines again.

Good luck with the pictures,

Rick Perry
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Southern Cal. Trip Report...                                5/8/00

Just got back from a trip to SoCal that took in most of the wigwags in the Central and Southern Cal portions
of your master list.  I'm pleased to report that all the ones I looked for were extant, but a
few might be in danger.

Fresno: Broadway/Cherry, Hamilton/Fulton, O Street, and Van Ness/California are all intact.

Hanford: Phillips St. and Brown St. much the same as in the pictures, though Brown St.
was missing the red lens from one side of the banner.

LeMoore: Fox street still there.  Very neat old wooden mill building there too - I'll have to
figure out how to get down there when the SJVR is running.

Bakersfield: K St. is still there and functional.  Only the electronic bell sounds - the mechanical
bell is still on the mechanism case but is apparently disconnected.  The crossing itself was closed
when I visited, however, as BNSF was relaying the southmost track. Don't know if this counts as a
"crossing upgrade" that will require replacement/removal of the wigwag or not.

Anaheim: Santa Ana/Lemon St. wigwag intact and functional (actually, malfunctional - it was
wagging for no apparent reason when I visited).

Colton: 9th and O and 9th and M are both intact, and guarded by a band of ugly thugs
(well, sort of - one of them drove over as I was shooting the M St. 'gwag, wanting to know what I was
taking pictures of...)

Bell: Randolph/Gifford signal is intact.  And you were right, 55th and Alameda, and the track itself, is gone.
No trench yet, though.

Redlands: Mountain View Ave. and Nevada St. are both still there.

Gardena: All four are extant.  I happened to be there when the local was switching the lumber
yard at the end of the track that includes the Hobart and Denker wigwags.  These both function
as the Gods intended.  Denker is still a rust-bucket.  I wasn't able to see the Vermont/Gardena
signal when the local came past, but the Vermont/164th St. wigwag didn't respond to the train at all!
Hmmm.  Too bad - it's the best looking and easiest to shoot wigwag of the four, too.

Riverside: I'm developing a healthy dislike for this place.  The local transients get very hostile
whenever a camera is brought out. Maybe the police there walk around with 35mm cameras on their
hips instead of 45-automatics or something.  Anyhow, both 3rd St. and Mission Inn are intact,
and the spur they protect showed no signs of recent use.

Evan Werkema
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Woodburn, OR display Wigwag...                   5/8/00

Dan, you have a great web site !! Thanks for the time and work that you
have done on it. I wanted to let you know about a Wig wag that is on
display in Woodburn, OR. It is at the site with the SP 1785
(2-6-0). It is a working display. It is just off of Front St. at the
south end of downtown. I have a picture of it that I can send to you.

Jim Hanrahan
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Colorado RR Museum Wigwag...                  5/8/00

You might be interested, the Colorado Railroad Museum,
Golden Co. has recently completed restoration  of a Union
(Switch &) Signal (I believe but will have to check) wig wag. It now
guards our main entrance and is used during train
operations. I believe this signal originally guarded the UP
road crossing on hwy. 287 north of  Lafayette Co.

Keith Goodrich CRM volunteer.
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Crab Orchard & Egyptian Railroad...             5/8/00

Hello, I am from Marion, Illinois, home of the Crab Orchard & Egyptian
Railroad which still has one wig wag signal in use.  It is an old ICRR
signal that originally stood at Division Street in Carterville.  It was
installed on the north side of the Russell Street crossing in Marion.
It now guards the north side of the Fourth street crossing.  It is
still operational!!  I have photographs of it at its new location.  I can get
them scanned and send them to you if you so desire.

Thank you,

Edward Bridges
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Good news for Lebanon...                                    5/2/00

I haven't heard much excited, happy chatter about this in railfan
circles, so I thought I would spread the news. Albany & Eastern's Mill
City branch is back from the grave. For wig-wag huggers like myself,
this means the Berlin Road (Lebanon) wig-wag will soon be active again.
Plus the lower west side will struggle for survival for at least a few more
months now.

Here is the article from the April 29 Albany Democrat Herald:

Camron Settlemier
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