Two Wig Wag RR Crossings in Gardena, CA - 11/17/08

[@DaveWVideo]

I know that Santa Fe had manually operated gates with 2 wigwags at Colorado Blvd in Pasadena CA until the late40s/early 50s. There was an operator in a small tower who manually raised and lowered the gates, wags were automatic. There was also a similar set-up in Fullerton, CA at Spadra St,. (now Harbor Blvd.) with manual gates and a single wigwag. Both crossings were upgraded with automatic gates and flashing lights sometime in the 50s, I think

[@AGHRMatt]

I used to go to Gardena High School and remember the Gardena Wig-Wags well. Those two were on the branch to the lumber yard on Western of 166th. I used to live on Athens Blvd near that last sequence (120th street and Athens Way.) There used to be wig-wags on 124th, Vermont and Alondra, plus there was one on Western by the lumber yard. I think the ones on Vermont and Gardena Blvd are still there.

[@slug96]

WOW Snuffy! nice video! when I told u to make the videos long3 or 4 mins. Not 8 mins! I never seen a Wig Wag before maybe I will railfan there some day

[@BCSchmerker]

Excellent video of old-school RxR signals in action. Are these original Magnetic Flagman models, as appears the case from the housing design?

[@JIMBOSKI58]

Nice to see some wigwags. However, attached to wooden poles takes some of the RR romance from them. The two wigwags at the RR crossing by my home in Banning east of Palm Springs were not attached to poles. They were removed sometime in the early 1960's. Sad to see them go. I'm slowly recreating in HO the RR crossing by the house and SP depot. Got to get some wigwags for sure.

[@robertroth4171]

UP local Y147 with 1190 leading!

[@robertroth4171]

UP local U743 ( Old U759 ) with 1190 leading

[@DetroitLove4U]

This may seem to be an unsound inquiry but are there any known wig wag crossings with gate arms present in the continental United States or have there been any to your knowledge? I'm a big fan of "freight car switching" and this video was rather entertaining than most videos that for I just show a train pass by although such videos I enjoy but to a lesser degree. How long have these wig wags been there? You should go to Anaheim and film the Santa Ana St. running trains!

[@robertgift]

Usually that single wigwag signal would be on the OTHER side of the track. If on your right when approaching it, it would be on the other side of the track. (Beyond) If on your left, it would be on YOUR side of the track.

[@jakemiillephotography]

OK it shouldn't upgrade in a sense. But what if somebody got hit by a train there. Then there wouldn't be any that UP will leave in the U.S. So I just thought that somebody gets hit there they'll take all crossings like that out. Whats the speed limit and how many trains pass through there a day.

[@darcman32]

how do you know when the train is going to be there ????????

[@foxthorne]

Good job with the video love the wig wags

[@cardboard_is_not_edible]

What street???

[@flattrain5834]

Grant Kidd Hobart Blvd in Gardena ca. The only wig wag left in SoCal is the Vernon one. The nearest one from that is Hanford.

[@studogg120]

Which days do they run all the way to torrance?

[@59imperial]

There were as many as five or six wigwags left in Gardena up until 2000 when the ones along Vermont Ave were replaced. The old PE era crossbucks were also replaced. I also remember that the Western Ave. crossing into Crenshaw Lumber (seen in the video) was served by two wigwags until around the late 1980s.

[@jliu1596]

What does BI refer to?

[@Ih8kone]

Are these still here?

[@jliu1596]

Is BI a state or is it a county in California? Please tell me because you're the only one know

[@BCSchmerker]

@DetroitLove4U Looks like something the Niles Canyon should look into. Two relays could be used: One to power up the Magnetic Flagman and control the gates; a second to alternate the post and gate lamps (perhaps synchronize them with the wig-wag?).

[@jakemiillephotography]

OK thats cool. There is no need to upgrade.

[@jakemiillephotography]

I think Union Pacific should upgrade. Great Video Snuffy. Love the crossing signal.

[@jliu1596]

Why did you say Hobart, BI? I have no idea what BI means.

[@KSE828]

Ok been a railfan for awhile now but i have no idea what in gods name a "wigwag" is. Anyone care to enlighten me?

[@59imperial]

@singwith I wonder what happended to the old wigwags? I'm sure that they weren't just thrown out.

[@Surfliner6908]

I think those are hobos at 6:28. lol.

[@UPTurner]

Nice Video Snuffy!!

[@DoubleGG5666]

Man, I wonder what they do if a vandal gets to an actual engine like the one at 0:32

[@Enzo_OFM]

both wig wags and cats are awsome!

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Nice Video

[@Enzo_OFM]

the first UP diesel looked liked it was attacked by a bunch of grafiti ppl

[@Lightwolf333]

Sweet!

[@microbusss]

wish I could get these Wig-Wags & preserve them =(