Nostalgia & History > Wig wag & bell along SP in Anaheim, CA '79

These were taken along Santa Ana St in Anaheim, CA on 1-12-79. It is how the SP would get to South Anaheim, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa in Orange County. The tracks run down the middle of the street. At that time, there were still several wig wags along some of the crossings. These tracks still exist and are in use today. There was still one wig wag remaining a few years ago, but may be gone now.
The first picture should be at Santa Ana St and Citron St. 
Next one is at Santa Ana St and West St where you can see on the right, an interesting bell warning signal. There was no lights or wig wag there. I wonder what the origin of the bell was?
Last photo is a 'going away shot' of an SP local near the same locations on the same day. I missed seeing the head end. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/21 17:53 by GreenFlag.

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I'm thinking that 2nd pic's bell is not a signal, but rather a historical neighborhood monument. As for the wig wag, that is a truly awesome monument to California railroading history.

zr1rob Wrote:
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> I'm thinking that 2nd pic's bell is not a signal,
> but rather a historical neighborhood monument. As
> for the wig wag, that is a truly awesome monument  
> to California railroading history.

Absolutely a railroad signal.  There was another one of these on a corner two blocks further down Samta Ana Street.
Look at the SP grey wooden relay box on the signal's post.  Both were installed in the very early 1900s.
G

zr1rob Wrote:
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> I'm thinking that 2nd pic's bell is not a signal,
> but rather a historical neighborhood monument. As
> for the wig wag, that is a truly awesome monument
> to California railroading history.

No, it's a street light. 

ExSPCondr Wrote:
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> zr1rob Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'm thinking that 2nd pic's bell is not a
> signal,
> > but rather a historical neighborhood monument.
> As
> > for the wig wag, that is a truly awesome
> monument  
> > to California railroading history.
>
> Absolutely a railroad signal.  There was another
> one of these on a corner two blocks further down
> Samta Ana Street.
> Look at the SP grey wooden relay box on the
> signal's post.  Both were installed in the very
> early 1900s.

I agree, George. Definitely was a crossing bell. Also, definitely not there today.
I remember it's almost lead-like clanging. The battery box for it can be seen in the
ground next to it. 

Charlie
 

I'm surprised to see a locomotive style crossing bell in use that "recently". It's rare to find one in a collection or display now.

There's mention of these bells in this article...

http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/sig_eng_1914_1.htm

There is currently a bell (with crossbuck) at the same crossing.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/21 00:35 by danf.

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danf Wrote:
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> I'm surprised to see a locomotive style crossing
> bell in use that "recently". It's rare to find one
> in a collection or display now.
>
> There's mention of these bells in this article...
>
> http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/sig_eng_1914_1
> .htm
>
> There is currently a bell (with crossbuck) at the
> same crossing.

The photo you included, Dan, is the intersection of Citron St. and Santa Ana St. and is possibly the crossing
ExSPCondr mentioned in his comments as "...two blocks further down Samta (sp) Ana Street."

As can be seen in these 2021 Google images:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/427+S+Citron+St,+Anaheim,+CA+92805/@33.8289361,-117.9218064,3a,75y,6.02h,76.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5eV5mm7gvG12zJAK8dlaMA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dcd6287f9ee69f:0xe2b6a7af8f778d65!8m2!3d33.8290626!4d-117.9221312

the 'bell' of today is one of those electronic sound generators, totally without moving parts.

The crossing at West St. is here:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Southern+California+Edison+Co/@33.8280852,-117.9254524,3a,82.2y,295.27h,88.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7YBCx89zgYN6CB6lxMmk1w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80dd29d7fc0fffff:0x94bde7dceab382dd!8m2!3d33.8279815!4d-117.9253188 

and clearly shows UP tracks west of the crossing moving onto private right of way in preparation of crossing the I-5 lanes and beyond.

Charlie 

Thanks for posting these.   I've never seen a bell used in that application before.  Learn something new everyday!