That was me waving at you guys out the back on the final train to see these semaphores, train #3 on August 16th. I headed to the back window to see these semaphores because I knew they were there, and had no idea it was their last day of operation.
Thanks for the historic documentary. Been a fan of old Santa Fe T2 semaphores since the Santa Fe RR retired them in Texas back in 1980. Well done, interesting, informative.
There's another part of these signals that's extremely rare, the 'telegraph' wires running them. There are very, very few places left where the signals are still run by open frame wires. Bell Telephone was replacing open frame wires with bundled cables at least 110 years ago. It's a miracle that any are left at all!
In the early aughts I worked for SBC in Chicago. Occasionally I would get a look at the phone cable maps. Among other information these included the year they were installed. I saw two in the Austin neighborhood that were installed in 1912 and 1914.
Very cool indeed seeing those lines strung up, even though they are disappearing. Some stretches along US 101 through the central coast have them, and there are some along the long-quiet Monterey Branch Line.
was fortunate enough to film a rear-view ride aboard train 3 back in march. glad to have been able to witness these, as well as those on the glorietta sub, in action before they were taken out of service. sad to see more of these semaphores go but the end has been in sight for years.
At the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park, an ex-Southern Pacific semaphore is not only on display, but you can push a button and activate it. I think it's a lower quadrant semaphore, which makes it extra rare.
I’ve seen it. A problem with the Espee Lower quadrants were that they could fail by the shaft breaking. The upper quadrants had all their moving parts on the mast.
No, they're still there, but their fate is not controlled by the State of New Mexico like these were. I see them twice a week usually, and there's been no sign of an upgrade to them yet.
Are any semaphores left at all? Was considering taking a trip to New Mexico because I thought the Wagon Mound and Las Vegas ones were still up, but not sure.
That was me waving at you guys out the back on the final train to see these semaphores, train #3 on August 16th. I headed to the back window to see these semaphores because I knew they were there, and had no idea it was their last day of operation.
Thanks for the historic documentary. Been a fan of old Santa Fe T2 semaphores since the Santa Fe RR retired them in Texas back in 1980. Well done, interesting, informative.
There's another part of these signals that's extremely rare, the 'telegraph' wires running them.
There are very, very few places left where the signals are still run by open frame wires. Bell Telephone was replacing open frame wires with bundled cables at least 110 years ago. It's a miracle that any are left at all!
In the early aughts I worked for SBC in Chicago. Occasionally I would get a look at the phone cable maps. Among other information these included the year they were installed. I saw two in the Austin neighborhood that were installed in 1912 and 1914.
Very cool indeed seeing those lines strung up, even though they are disappearing. Some stretches along US 101 through the central coast have them, and there are some along the long-quiet Monterey Branch Line.
Oh man...😢 so bittersweet. I'm glad to know about the telegraph wires. This is so special.
More relics gone, sad to see them go. Hopefully the ones on the Raton will hold strong for a few more years.
While I hate to see them go, most of me is glad to have something more reliable in place.
Excellent. Extremely professionally done.
Thank you kindly!
Sure am glad I got them while I could. Long live the NMRX semaphores!
🙏🍻
Nice work!
Thanks!
was fortunate enough to film a rear-view ride aboard train 3 back in march. glad to have been able to witness these, as well as those on the glorietta sub, in action before they were taken out of service. sad to see more of these semaphores go but the end has been in sight for years.
At the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park, an ex-Southern Pacific semaphore is not only on display, but you can push a button and activate it. I think it's a lower quadrant semaphore, which makes it extra rare.
I’ve seen it. A problem with the Espee Lower quadrants were that they could fail by the shaft breaking. The upper quadrants had all their moving parts on the mast.
Have the semaphores at Wagon Mound, Levy and Colmor been replaced yet?
No, they're still there, but their fate is not controlled by the State of New Mexico like these were. I see them twice a week usually, and there's been no sign of an upgrade to them yet.
Now who’s going to buy the semaphore signals in the future?
Are any semaphores left at all? Was considering taking a trip to New Mexico because I thought the Wagon Mound and Las Vegas ones were still up, but not sure.
11… Wagon Mound to Colmor… time is ticking as they begin to fail from age though
@@Big_Diehl From what I heard BNSF plans to use them until they drop. I guess I better get down there soon.
Be nice if a couple of sets could be donated to the Grand Canyon Railroad.
May thesee sytems name go in the history book of new mexico rest in peace