RICHMOND, Calif. — Richmond will hold a “Wig Wags Forever” festival on Sunday, celebrating the restoration to operating condition of two of the nearly extinct grade-crossing protection devices.
The signals, near 1 West Richmond Ave. at a grade crossing in Point Richmond, about 13 miles northwest of Oakland, remained in place after BNSF Railway replaced them with modern crossing gates, but have not operated for 18 years. But Bay City News Service reports that, after the community raised $2,000 for their restoration, the signals will be reactivated Sunday. That will come following remarks by Richmond Mayor Tom Butt. during the festival to be held from 1-5 p.m. on the grounds of Mechanics Bank at 4 W. Richmond Ave. The festival will feature music, food, and rail- and history-related exhibits.
The bank is a restored former Santa Fe Railway building.
Why, drivers are still stupid enough driving around the gates.
How often does a train use this crossing? On Google maps, the track appears to go nowhere.
Not sure if it was the IC or GMO that ran through Summit , Mississippi in the 60’s, memory is hazzy, but it would barrel through town at speed with just wig wags on main street. I’d hear the loco blowing the crossing out of town, and run out of my uncles store to catch them. Only camera I had was a Brownie, but couldn’t afford the film. Folks always told me to not get too close to the track or I’d be sucked under. I still don’t know if that is true, but always kept my distance.
Wig-Wags. A throwback signal that simulates a trainman swinging his red lantern.
Someone should come up with an LED based wig wag (Federal Signal are you reading this?)
Instead of the mechanical arm “wagging” the light, just have a LED screen that shows a red light moving in a semi circle. Have it alternate with a bright red “STOP” periodically.
In my city in Wis we still have a set of CNW wig-wags still operating. UP said they will let them there as long as they still operate. So far the UP signal maintainer has done a good job nursing them along.
Nice to see a town embrace a little piece of unique history and that the railroad appears to be supporting them in their effort.
Very good!