Does anyone have an original document for Frisco's system standard Highway and Roadway Signs? It would be great if a high quality scan of the document could be added to the site for all to use. A photocopy was published in the FMIG issue #37, June 1983, pages 13 and 14. Unfortunately, the published photocopy is blurred and there is a loss of detail including dimensions, adopted date, etc. I suspect the blurring of this information is the result of a large document being reduced with the equipment technology at the time. The document is numbered A8184-540. Other similar documents may exist with different numbers, dates or amended dates. The key information we need is the indicated sign wording, spacing, font style, dimensions, colors and right of way placement notes. We might even be able to get someone with the skills to publish on this site or manufacture Frisco specific signs or decals for our modeling use. This signage includes keep off (no trespassing), station name boards for depots, blind station (free standing), approach, slow and stop signs for railroad junctions, etc. One favorite sign in particular helps establish the railroad and set the scene: St.L.&S.F.R.R. Private Property Keep Off The top line was later amended to S.L.-S.F. RR Appreciate everyone's help! Remember to... Get it Going Frisco! Mark
Hello Mark, I have the standard plan you are talking about in a high quality tiff image. It is too big to upload. The only way I can see to upload them so they can be read is to crop each sign with the details. Here is one of the signs you mentioned. Dale Slechta
Mar, Somewhere out here, Karl Brand has also shared images from a B&B handbook that has details on signage, mile markers, depot signs and such. I have printed copies but I can't seem to locate where it is. I'll do some further searching and if I locate it before you do, I'll put a link here.
I am hoping Dale Rush of Blair Line is watching this thread and will be able to produce some of the signs. Hint! Hint!
I posted several pages from a 1914 Book of Rules that depict various signs. I believe this is what Chris remembers. See number 7 in particular. http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?t=290&highlight=rail+rack I also have a more modern book of Frisco standard plans.
I don't have a complete set of standard plans However, I did have a couple that I thought might be of general interest to modelers. These are from one of my favorite eras, the late 1950's.
Would any of you guys know which Frisco towns were protected by Wig-Wag type signals. My Grandmother found a heck of a find today at a yard sale. She got me two old signal lanterns. An old Frisco hand lantern. All the glass lantern globes are in like perfect condition with little wear. A set of caboose lights and finally the top assembly for a Wig-Wag crossing. I do not have these items yet she told me I will receive them for my birthday on October 19th and for Christmas. The Wig-Wag is mostly complete, I just need a metal pole to put the metal cross buck and the swinging light mechanism on. These items are in pretty good condition. She talked the owners down on them, yet she won't say what she payed for them. All I know is that it was under $200.00, so I think this is good. All items are at least 40 years old and in good condition. I plan to accurately restore them and place them along a short segment of track at my grandparents place. All Items have Frisco or ST.L&SF R.R. stamped into the metal on them. If anyone had any info on these it would really help in the restoration. Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
In Cape Girardeau, there was a wig-wag signal at the Marquette Cement plant crossing. I know of no others personally.
Quoted from Wikipedia: the sole surviving US&S wigwag in service in the US is a two-position style in Joplin, Missouri on an ex-Frisco industrial spur. Does anyone have any additional information about this?
Check this link for the US&S wig-wag signal. I don't see any other markings besides the Frisco marked across the back of the banner on the top part of the one my grandma got. Maybe another rare example got partially preserved, thinking wishfully. Here is the link now that I've shut up. http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/WIG_WAG_PAGE24.htm I hope this will help. Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
Thanks! The pieces need little restoration. My grandpa has found an old piece of steel pipe to put the wig-wag on. The one my grandma got is not at all like the one in Joplin, MO, This one is in a diamond shaped metal frame that set in the center of the pole. It also had a crossbuck above it and a stop when flashing sign below, which is missing. I hope I could find an original or replica sign for my wig-wag. I already have an old cross buck to stick above it. I'm gonna legally try to get one of the old bells that usually sit on older crossings. The new electric ones are really annoying! Has anyone else gotten any railroad signals that can give me a tip on restoring them? If you have please come out with it. I have a general question that is off topic now. A friend told me that you could sign up on the Arkansas & Missouri (A&M) Railroad as a volunteer conductor and ride for free as a conductor on the train. Who would I contact on the A&M to sign up for the volunteer conductor program? Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
Murphy: Sounds like you have gotten one of the "once in a lifetime" finds. Wig-wags are pricey, usually. If you are a member of the Yahoo Groups world I highly suggest you join the following Groups for signal help: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Railway-Signaling/?yguid=261014662 And http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wigwag_Fan/?yguid=261014662 Both Groups contain a huge collection of knowlege concerning signal restoration. Good luck and enjoy your find. John Wichita Falls, TX
Several years ago there was a wig-wag signal on Highway 164 in Steele, MO. BNSF replaced it during late the 1990s.
Thanks for the info on possible locations for this signal. I can't join any Yahoo groups for some reason. My computer always says I'm not allowed to join these groups. I've been searching for replacement parts online. There was a little bit on E-bay and I found the site I listed above that also sells parts. I'm going over to my Grandparents place again today to visit and put up a fence. I'll look over the items really good today. I only got to glance at them yesterday for 10 minutes so maybe I'll notice something else. Thanks again for the information. Hopefully someday I'll know the origin of my new equipment. Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
I've really, really been wanting to take photographs. Unfortunately, I don't own a photograph copier or a good computer to run one. I've been to my local library and it doesn't have one either. The only one I can think of is the one at my school that students aren't allowed to use! Sometime if I can, I may be able to have a friend help me. My friend puts up all my Facebook photographs so I'm sure he'll have something. I made a discovery over the weekend when getting a good look at the boxes of stuff my grandma got. I thought all of the items were Frisco, it turns out I've found three odd items. 1. A Cotton Belt hand lantern converted to electric. 2. A New York Central Systems lantern that wandered into the bunch. 3. The oddest, a big old target switch lantern dated 1917, with the Erie logo on the side and on the top of the lantern it has Frisco stamped into it. Did the SL-SF buy old Erie lanterns or vice-versa? I am amazed and a tad confused on what I have here. I just think it is really cool stuff! Ship it on the Frisco! Murphy Millican
