Here is a photo taken by Don Kaiser in the 1950's of the actual crossing gate at the MKT/Frisco crossing in Clinton, MO. Photo is taken looking NW up the Frisco line. I have also posted in another thread a photo of the tower at the same location. Dale Rush Carthage, MO
On the Frisco side of things at Harrisonville, the process to unlock the gates required several steps. The instrument case/relay case, which was next to the gate had a small glass window, through which could be seen a small, sheet-metal semaphore. A "red" semaphore indicated that a MP train was in the circuit, and the gate could not be unlocked until it cleared. When a "green" semaphore was displayed a crew member would open the box and start the timer. When the timer was started, it dropped the MP signals. Once the timer had "wound-down" (I think 8 minutes) the lock would release, and the gate could be opened. The gate which protected the former KCCS and MP at Harrisonville may be seen: http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=4956&d=1127781426 The methodology for releasing the MKT gate at Clinton followed the same process. At Dodson, there was a northbound, fixed approach signal at Blue River Rd. The arrangement at Dodson may be seen at these two links. http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=5731&d=1222034156 http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=5730&d=1222034156
Good stuff Karl, thanks. I am going to have to figure out some way to work some of this into my operating scheme. Wonder if it would be to cheesy to use some sort of digital kitchen timer on my fascia and fast clock the 8 minute wait into a 2-3 minute wait. Dale
Not Frisco related, but here is what was published on signals and junctions in a 1941 model railroad magazine sponsored by Lionel Trains: http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/616/43118/november-1941-page-32 Tom Edit: You can change the page by clicking "next" or selecting the desired page number. "Train Life" and several other vintage model and railfan magazines are archived on this website.
Thanks Dale. That's just what I need. I've sent the plans John posted along with this pic to a friend of mine. His specialty is developing grade crossings for Trainz. He's made close to 100 incredible virtual models. I'll post a video of his working Frisco gate on my Highline route when he gets done.
Hey guys. Check out the attached pics. I've got a friend of mine in the Trainz community working on a fully functional Frisco gate based of the plans John supplied. I think he nailed it. I can't wait to put in my Clinton sub v route at the MKT crossing. Here's my question though. Was it typical operation to have just one gate at one corner like the photos or would you find two gates on both sides of the crossing track?
Thanks Terry. I needed to know to accurately model the SABRR. So a few search lights here or there won't hurt. I'm a Semaphore fan myself. Manny
Does anyone have, or is there a source here on the board as far as the search light signal type the Frisco used? I mean they are just color light correct? Not color position lights. Like this one, correct?
The Frisco also used type-D signals. And there was at least one instance of a street style traffic light in Memphis. Paul
I have some searchlight signal parts that are Frisco originals and they came with the original "Instruction Pamphlets" inside. They are Union Switch and Signal Style "H" or "H-2" (the difference is in the lens). However, no guts. They had a 3 color electromechanical mechanism. The instruction pamphlets have a revision date of 1941, but someone was kind enough to write what I assume is the actual installation date inside - one is dated 4-10-1943, the other 8-21-1943. I'm not exactly sure where they were used, but it was somewhere in the Dixon / Jerome area. Just think, installed in WWII, when steam was still moving the trains on the mainlines! Hope this information is helpful.
