Question about train order signals

[David Boeschen]

Photos from the 60s onward show a two-light signal style order board on stations. Some still exist, for instance on the MP depot in El Dorado, KS. This particular one mow has the heads turned sideways, since the station is located on active track. The attached photos are from 1970.

This style of order board replaced the old two-headed semaphore style that appears in many historic depot photos.

There are two heads, each with a two-light (red and green?) display. These heads are mounted on a single post, bracketed so that each direction has the signal head on the right, at the same height. The ones I’ve seen are mounted on a signal box, at roughly cab height.

[attachment=1:2q2260fu]train order 1.jpg[/attachment:2q2260fu] [attachment=0:2q2260fu]train order 2.jpg[/attachment:2q2260fu]

So, first, any idea when these signals started to be installed? Did they end up all over the system?
And, model-wise, has anybody made these? I don’t know if they’re unique to MP, but I don’t recall seeing them anywhere else.

Ron Merrick

[Bill Pollard]

Many train order offices on the Central Division never received the flashing light signals, keeping upper quadrant semaphores until the stations were closed. Signal heads (used, from somewhere??) were delivered to Conway, AR about 1970 to replace the semaphore, but one of the signal heads apparently disappeared and the semaphore remained in service until the train order office was relocated to a prefab building south of town in 1973. Flashing light train order signals were at Newport and Russellville by the late 1960s. Perhaps someone has a signal diagram for these units which would give the initial dates of use.

Bill Pollard

[Dean Knopp]

When a train order existed, was the signal a flashing red or a solid red ?
Dean Knopp
mimopac1

[Bill Pollard]

Flashing red, to help distinguish from regular block signals. When green, flashing green also.

Bill Pollard

[Dean Knopp]

@arkrail wrote:

Flashing red, to help distinguish from regular block signals. When green, flashing green also.

Bill Pollard

[Dean Knopp]

Like one in Newport. To finish in summer.

[Dean Knopp]

Like one in Newport years ago. To finish painting this summer. Wired to flash green.

Dean Knopp
[email protected]

[Dean Knopp]

Hoxie, Arkansas
Late 60’s
E/B Frisco
Their version of train order signal

Dean Knopp
[email protected]

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