@WPRR1 There was a stop order on this crossing because the tracks are in poor condition and rusty. The detection equipent depends on the rails to detect an approaching train and start the signals. Poor track condition and especially rust on the rails inhibits the ability for the wheels to shunt the current back to the detection system at the crossing and start the signals. Because there's a chance the signals may not function properly at this lightly used location, the engineer has to stop.
@metraF40PH163 No, they didn't. There are just crossbucks with Yield signs now. There isn't a law that states you can't downgrade a signalized crossing to passive. The railroad needs to get approval before removing the signals and they need to file a new crossing inventory record with the FRA reflecting the changes. The Lima Center wig-wag was removed in March and it's now a passive crossing. Hwy 75 in Kansasville and Hwy 45 in Union Grove, WI have also been changed to passive crossings.
@wileyk209zback No new signals replaced them. It's just two crossbucks with Yield signs now. This used to be a street but has been coverted to a bike / walking path. The train movements are few and far between on this track, and are done at a slow speed. At this particular location, the train's horn and bell should provide sufficient warning for pedestrians and bicyclists. Still, it's kind of sad that they pulled out the wig-wags.
@Brenton81 Wow. But if it's a walking/bike path, it does seem to make sense to just have cross bucks, but then again, the pedestrian railroad crossings at the stations in my area use red lights and bells, but we get 25 to 30 trains a day (most of them passenger trains.)
@IceRoadTrucker1000 About a block and a half off 151, between Dickinson and 1st. It used to be Thornton Avenue, but they closed the street and turned it into the Yahara Bike Path a few years back. The wig-wags were retired this summer and replaced with crossbucks on wooden posts. The engineer had a stop and flag order for the crossing because the tracks are rusty, which can cause the signals not to function properly.
@PereMarquette1223 The frame on the other one was beat up pretty bad. These wig-wags were removed this summer and replaced with crossbucks on wooden posts.
I have a wig wag signal from the Pacific Electric Railway in Los Angeles. My great grandfather worked for them until they pulled the rails. they were taking them to the scrapyards so he got some neat stuff.
@anvil357 I'm guessing it's a Magnetic Signal Co. Wig-Wag then? They're very rare around here. The Milwaukee Road and C&NW were big users of the WRRS Co. "Harpes" model, like the ones in this video. The Soo Line installed a few MSCo. Wig-Wags though. One set, originally from Salem, WI is preserved in Sturtevant, WI. A picture of one of them is on my channel page. The last operating set in in the state (presumably) at Eidsvold, WI was removed by CN sometime in the last six or seven years.
the city of waukesha wisconsin here doesn't have wig wag crossing signals anymore. the rail-line and signals have since been removed. the other wig wag signals have been replaced with modern crossing signals and gates.
your video brings back memories from the time my city did have them.
@myrealghostbusters@myrealghostbusters I never got to see the Wig-Wags in Waukesha, but I heard there were quite a few on the old C&NW line from West Allis to Madison. They had all been removed and replaced with standard crossbucks on wooden posts before I ever got up in the area. I remember when they pulled up all the rails though. I know there aren't any wig-wags anywhere on the CN. Most of those came out during the Soo and later on, Wisconsin Central days.
Nah, Wisconsin & Southern is railfan friendly as long as you stay off their property and don't do anything stupid or dangerous. They're well aware that people like to photograph and video their trains, particularly at the wig-wags. The trackage at that crossing isn't used very often, so there's a chance the signals may not operate properly when a train approaches. They're required to stop, make sure the signals are working and ensure everyone is stopped before they can proceed.
@notentirelysure85 x.x After seeing this video i went in hunt for these ( railgeekplz). Sadly yes... The one in the BG is in pretty bad shape, operable, but still with a missing cover and some pretty cheap repairs on it. The nearest one appears to have been rewired in the last few years with new wires ( look a HECK of a lot like LAN cable). Didn't see em in action though.
@Brenton81 0-0!! CRAWP! ::sigh:: Heading out to madison possibly tommorrow. I'll have to take a peeksy. This is what makes me wish I was born a generation earlier to really see the railroad in it's prime.
how many wigwags in wi? kool to see, in an age when RRs are removing mechanicl xing bells, and installing electronic ones -is there supposed to be a light in the wig? it looked dark i couldnt tell - kool vid thanks
Brilliant! I spent a couple of great weeks in WI in 2006 and saw this loco at Janesville. Never seen those wig wags, though. Mind you, Madison was the only city I can remember needing a compass to find my way back to the hotel one night! But it had been a helluva night...
It actually wasn't fouling it. The crossing is only a bike path. It used to be a road, which is why the wig-wags are so far apart.
He has to stop and flag because that section of track is in poor shape and has rusty rails. That can cause the signals to not work properly, or at all. It's in the timetable to stop at that crossing, regardless of whether or not the signals are operating. (Rule 6.32.2C- GX Procedure- Warning Devices May Not Operate Due to Rusty Rails or Track Condition.)
Very cool! I've been going to school in Madison for 3 years now and had no idea these were here, i'll have to check them out next time I follow some trains
I found a picture on "Dan's Wigwag Site" to see a picture of the wigwags on the other side. Is the knocking noise coming from the other wigwag with the bent 'peachbasket'? It looks like the light cover hits against it. Nice vid.
You're correct! It's on the back leg of a wye, which isn't used very often. The signals don't always operate properly because of the rusty rails and poor track condition.
It's OK, I never had heard of wig wags either until last year, when I was randomly looking up some pics and videos of trains online. Makes me really wanna make a trip to such an area that has a lotta wig wag crossings, not surprisingly. :)
The Santa Train with SOO 1003 is coming to Plymouth in December and it sounds like they are planning to run downtown which would include those crossings.
The Plymouth we are talking about is a town in Wisconsin, USA. And I have confirmation that the Santa Train will run through the wigwag crossings there. I am going to try to be there next Saturday.
the santa train is coming to plymouth again i think december 14 and that weekend.. they are going all the way through town up to Elkhart Lake.. first time a steam train has been there in over 50 years.. you can go on the city of plymouth wi website to get the details
last Thursday I saw an ALASKA RAILROAD engine on the Prarie du Chien line at the Pleasant View Rd. crossing. Looked like new too. It was behind the WSORR lead engine.
I think the WSOR Horicon paint shop did contract work for ARR on those engines. Then they moved them to Janesville, then Madison, then Prairie du Chien for turnover to the BNSF to continue their journey northwest.
Great video! I'm glad somebody videoed these in action. I thought these wigwag's days were numbered when they started ripping up the street and narrowing it to a footpath. That bell is interesting too-it rings a lot slower than I have come to expect from mini bells. How'd you ever catch these?-it is virtually impossible to predict when they will make a move on this stretch of track. You should seriously consider making your own "Wisconsin Signals" DVD.
are those wig wag lights still there?
myrealghostbusters 1 week ago
great vid you have here
TheKcsmithy 4 weeks ago
Why do they have to stop? Only a dumbass would cross the tracks when the crossings are activated.
WPRR1 1 month ago
@WPRR1 There was a stop order on this crossing because the tracks are in poor condition and rusty. The detection equipent depends on the rails to detect an approaching train and start the signals. Poor track condition and especially rust on the rails inhibits the ability for the wheels to shunt the current back to the detection system at the crossing and start the signals. Because there's a chance the signals may not function properly at this lightly used location, the engineer has to stop.
Brenton81 1 month ago
5*
KudoKing145 3 months ago
the wig wags swing faster than the diesel moves
ColumbiaAndHoodRiver 3 months ago
Too bad it's gone now, it looks like the one across the tracks keeps hitting part of the pole it's on
metraF40PH163 4 months ago 2
@metraF40PH163 The harp on the one across the tracks was bent somehow, so yeah, it was hitting it on each swing.
Brenton81 4 months ago
no cars!
chanteller2011 4 months ago
I hope they still have SOME kind of signal there now. They should at least install gates, red lights and bells when replacing wig-wags.
wileyk209zback 5 months ago
@wileyk209zback They did, it's a law now that you can't replace siginaleed systems with crossbucks
metraF40PH163 4 months ago
@metraF40PH163 No, they didn't. There are just crossbucks with Yield signs now. There isn't a law that states you can't downgrade a signalized crossing to passive. The railroad needs to get approval before removing the signals and they need to file a new crossing inventory record with the FRA reflecting the changes. The Lima Center wig-wag was removed in March and it's now a passive crossing. Hwy 75 in Kansasville and Hwy 45 in Union Grove, WI have also been changed to passive crossings.
Brenton81 4 months ago
@wileyk209zback No new signals replaced them. It's just two crossbucks with Yield signs now. This used to be a street but has been coverted to a bike / walking path. The train movements are few and far between on this track, and are done at a slow speed. At this particular location, the train's horn and bell should provide sufficient warning for pedestrians and bicyclists. Still, it's kind of sad that they pulled out the wig-wags.
Brenton81 4 months ago
@Brenton81 Wow. But if it's a walking/bike path, it does seem to make sense to just have cross bucks, but then again, the pedestrian railroad crossings at the stations in my area use red lights and bells, but we get 25 to 30 trains a day (most of them passenger trains.)
wileyk209zback 4 months ago
People in WI are so friendly, even the train conductors take time out at a crossing to say hello. ^_^
tubez4321 7 months ago
Who disliked this video??? Love the hooter mate!
MickFix 10 months ago
cbs 58 used part of this video
freshmansuck17 10 months ago
@freshmansuck17 Really? When?
Brenton81 10 months ago
@Brenton81 10 minutes ago they where talking about wisconsin and southerns C.E.O
freshmansuck17 10 months ago
@freshmansuck17 I guess I'll have to watch tonight and see if they replay it. Thanks for letting me know.
Brenton81 10 months ago
Wig-wags FTW!
MasterxMorgan 1 year ago
Great video
FlyBikes089 1 year ago
where in madison is that? i live in madison(west) btw. why did that guy get out and wave?
IceRoadTrucker1000 1 year ago
@IceRoadTrucker1000 About a block and a half off 151, between Dickinson and 1st. It used to be Thornton Avenue, but they closed the street and turned it into the Yahara Bike Path a few years back. The wig-wags were retired this summer and replaced with crossbucks on wooden posts. The engineer had a stop and flag order for the crossing because the tracks are rusty, which can cause the signals not to function properly.
Brenton81 1 year ago
@Brenton81 Those are gone now. Wigwags were scrapped.
Evansville64 8 months ago
That is a old bell.
twistedtornado100 1 year ago
that is a old bell.
twistedtornado100 1 year ago
Nice!! WRRS mini bell!!
Evansville64 1 year ago
Oops, the banner on the other one is hitting the frame!
PereMarquette1223 1 year ago
@PereMarquette1223 The frame on the other one was beat up pretty bad. These wig-wags were removed this summer and replaced with crossbucks on wooden posts.
Brenton81 1 year ago
Nice horn! Just faved!
metroliner89 1 year ago
I have a wig wag signal from the Pacific Electric Railway in Los Angeles. My great grandfather worked for them until they pulled the rails. they were taking them to the scrapyards so he got some neat stuff.
anvil357 1 year ago
@anvil357 I'm guessing it's a Magnetic Signal Co. Wig-Wag then? They're very rare around here. The Milwaukee Road and C&NW were big users of the WRRS Co. "Harpes" model, like the ones in this video. The Soo Line installed a few MSCo. Wig-Wags though. One set, originally from Salem, WI is preserved in Sturtevant, WI. A picture of one of them is on my channel page. The last operating set in in the state (presumably) at Eidsvold, WI was removed by CN sometime in the last six or seven years.
Brenton81 1 year ago
@Brenton81 Right after I read your message, I went to the basement and looked at it closely, and you're right it does say that.
anvil357 1 year ago
Great video, and great K5LA on that unit!
xxxDeath9572xxx 1 year ago
i have a wig wag in my back yard : )
matchettkid 1 year ago
the city of waukesha wisconsin here doesn't have wig wag crossing signals anymore. the rail-line and signals have since been removed. the other wig wag signals have been replaced with modern crossing signals and gates.
your video brings back memories from the time my city did have them.
thanks for posting this video.
myrealghostbusters 1 year ago
@myrealghostbusters @myrealghostbusters I never got to see the Wig-Wags in Waukesha, but I heard there were quite a few on the old C&NW line from West Allis to Madison. They had all been removed and replaced with standard crossbucks on wooden posts before I ever got up in the area. I remember when they pulled up all the rails though. I know there aren't any wig-wags anywhere on the CN. Most of those came out during the Soo and later on, Wisconsin Central days.
Brenton81 1 year ago
cool rr x
judahrice 1 year ago
cool the enginer stops gets out of the train says hi and strats going agian tat was cool
ejerailroad9999 2 years ago 3
LoL havent seen these weird type of swinging crossing bell/light although its pretty amazing!
PhantomDark21 2 years ago 3
weird crossing things with the swinging bells
Shydragon72 2 years ago
THe "swinging things" aren't bells. Those are lights. The bells are likely hidden behind the "X"'s.
And Brenton? The engineer was likely wondering what you were doing (Remember, you shot this after 9/11, when every act is considered suspicious)
CatsLairArchives 2 years ago
Nah, Wisconsin & Southern is railfan friendly as long as you stay off their property and don't do anything stupid or dangerous. They're well aware that people like to photograph and video their trains, particularly at the wig-wags. The trackage at that crossing isn't used very often, so there's a chance the signals may not operate properly when a train approaches. They're required to stop, make sure the signals are working and ensure everyone is stopped before they can proceed.
Brenton81 2 years ago
@CatsLairArchives the bell is behind the "X" i have a wig wag in my backyard
matchettkid 1 year ago
I think the one in the background needs a little work
notentirelysure85 2 years ago 2
@notentirelysure85 x.x After seeing this video i went in hunt for these ( railgeekplz). Sadly yes... The one in the BG is in pretty bad shape, operable, but still with a missing cover and some pretty cheap repairs on it. The nearest one appears to have been rewired in the last few years with new wires ( look a HECK of a lot like LAN cable). Didn't see em in action though.
celixdog04 1 year ago
@celixdog04 Be glad you got to see them when you did. They were pulled out a couple weeks ago.
Brenton81 1 year ago
@Brenton81 0-0!! CRAWP! ::sigh:: Heading out to madison possibly tommorrow. I'll have to take a peeksy. This is what makes me wish I was born a generation earlier to really see the railroad in it's prime.
celixdog04 1 year ago
Magnificent horn. 5*
PhilbruProduction 2 years ago 7
All traffic signals should do this.
lemonrind 2 years ago
Looked like he was checking the crossing signals since he looked at the far one and waved to you when he turned towards the other.
PostalRevolution 2 years ago
how many wigwags in wi? kool to see, in an age when RRs are removing mechanicl xing bells, and installing electronic ones -is there supposed to be a light in the wig? it looked dark i couldnt tell - kool vid thanks
pudd750 2 years ago
so THAT'S a 'wig wag'!
richintalent 2 years ago 2
i bet he came out to make sure there's no crazy people going to jump onto the track~ :D
and saw you and waved~ :D
zomgbbqwth 2 years ago 2
lol , he's funny , '' is like wave , stop please I'm crossing "
leamericanos 2 years ago 8
Love the horn. Good vid. Love watching your vids. ;)
UltraJoosh 2 years ago 2
sweet horn
Heyde1979 2 years ago 3
Man you can't find those types of crossings in the city
killerbees177 2 years ago 3
The politics of Madison aren't for me, but I may have to consider going there just to see these wig-wags. I grew up with them on the IC(G).
railgeek404 2 years ago
awesome video! are these still in opperation in madision. if so ill have to go there next time i got to rochelle il!
thetrainman407 2 years ago
super horn!!!
bnsf4 2 years ago 4
awesome!
alexgonick 2 years ago 2
lol they waved XD so cute
xoxTaniwolfxox 2 years ago 2
Brilliant! I spent a couple of great weeks in WI in 2006 and saw this loco at Janesville. Never seen those wig wags, though. Mind you, Madison was the only city I can remember needing a compass to find my way back to the hotel one night! But it had been a helluva night...
mknobber 2 years ago
LOL. I live in Wisconsin and STILL can't find my way around Madison most of the time.
Brenton81 2 years ago
Do you know where Wrightstown is? I live there.
Semitruckman101 2 years ago
Cool Ive never seen a special bike cossing 5/5
Flipzsd2 2 years ago
Why did the engine stop while fouling the crossing? The signals were operating so they shouldn't have needed to flag it.
warszawianka 2 years ago
It actually wasn't fouling it. The crossing is only a bike path. It used to be a road, which is why the wig-wags are so far apart.
He has to stop and flag because that section of track is in poor shape and has rusty rails. That can cause the signals to not work properly, or at all. It's in the timetable to stop at that crossing, regardless of whether or not the signals are operating. (Rule 6.32.2C- GX Procedure- Warning Devices May Not Operate Due to Rusty Rails or Track Condition.)
Brenton81 2 years ago
those are cool
models111 2 years ago
what the? i dont remember posting a comment, well not a bad comment!
trainz675 2 years ago
Cool stuff!
mafarnz 2 years ago
Hello, engineer!
superchrismaker 2 years ago
Comment removed
trainz675 2 years ago
Sweet! Thanx fur sharin'!
owlking149 3 years ago 2
Very cool! I've been going to school in Madison for 3 years now and had no idea these were here, i'll have to check them out next time I follow some trains
mmjurczak 3 years ago
I live in the madison area, and I think I know where that is. Are those wigwags still there?
mrjesster 3 years ago
As far as I know, yeah they're still in place. They protect a bike / pedestrian path now, so I don't think they're going to be removed anytime soon.
Brenton81 3 years ago
I found a picture on "Dan's Wigwag Site" to see a picture of the wigwags on the other side. Is the knocking noise coming from the other wigwag with the bent 'peachbasket'? It looks like the light cover hits against it. Nice vid.
Bellwestern80 3 years ago
thanx
johnpro2 3 years ago
I have never seen a train stop to check the crossing. Must be rarely used spur line..?
johnpro2 3 years ago
You're correct! It's on the back leg of a wye, which isn't used very often. The signals don't always operate properly because of the rusty rails and poor track condition.
Brenton81 3 years ago
why did he stop? was it to check the crossing
davethecomidian 4 years ago
in the 70s i saw the in sanfransico .
airnational3 4 years ago
oh...they're cute!
SHNOOKY0206 4 years ago 3
Hahaha. It's so weird and so awesome.
st112570 4 years ago
he stopped just too wave hi too you? very strange but cool
stuntedcards 4 years ago 2
wrrs mini bell and wigwags! What a perfect crossing! Nice video BTW.
wigwags4ever 4 years ago 2
I thinks wig-wag crossings are so cool and
the first ever time I heard about wig-wags was
January or February 2007,early this year.
sophieoftipton 4 years ago
It's OK, I never had heard of wig wags either until last year, when I was randomly looking up some pics and videos of trains online. Makes me really wanna make a trip to such an area that has a lotta wig wag crossings, not surprisingly. :)
prfsnlwannabe 4 years ago
Do you think you could do the Plymouth, WI Wig Wags, at Elizabeth Street and at Main and Milwaukee streets?
maxitrain989 4 years ago
I don't think those tracks are in service yet.
Brenton81 4 years ago
The Santa Train with SOO 1003 is coming to Plymouth in December and it sounds like they are planning to run downtown which would include those crossings.
VespineVid2 4 years ago
I thought they were only going as far as the depot. It would be nice if they went further north.
Brenton81 4 years ago
There's wig-wags in Plymouth?
I didn't wig-wags existed at all in England,Wales and Scotland.
sophieoftipton 4 years ago
The Plymouth we are talking about is a town in Wisconsin, USA. And I have confirmation that the Santa Train will run through the wigwag crossings there. I am going to try to be there next Saturday.
VespineVid2 4 years ago
A video of the Main/Milwaukee wigwags is now available on my Youtube page.
VespineVid2 4 years ago
the santa train is coming to plymouth again i think december 14 and that weekend.. they are going all the way through town up to Elkhart Lake.. first time a steam train has been there in over 50 years.. you can go on the city of plymouth wi website to get the details
trutoad35 3 years ago
A Wrrs Mini Bell!
chessie93 4 years ago
I like wig-wags, but I think that regular lights are easier to notice.
RufusandDufus 4 years ago
What kind of railroad crossing sign was that? A pendulum was hanging from it.
TempestDragon59 4 years ago
It's a Wig-Wag.
Brenton81 4 years ago
last Thursday I saw an ALASKA RAILROAD engine on the Prarie du Chien line at the Pleasant View Rd. crossing. Looked like new too. It was behind the WSORR lead engine.
gregtrain1 4 years ago
I think the WSOR Horicon paint shop did contract work for ARR on those engines. Then they moved them to Janesville, then Madison, then Prairie du Chien for turnover to the BNSF to continue their journey northwest.
VespineVid2 4 years ago
SD-40 Diesel locomotive? Nice video.
dutchtrainmanserie22 4 years ago
SD20 (aquired from Illinois Central and NREX, rebuilt from Southern Railway SD24s and Union Pacific SD24Bs).
VespineVid2 4 years ago
Wisconsin and Southern Labels there locomotives as so:
SD20 w/o dynamics are 2050 series
SD40 w/ dynamics are 4000 series
Sd40 w/o dynamics are 4500 series
and so on...
You can tell a railroad is filled with foamers when they do that!
qnuts 4 years ago
actually...
all skunks=2050 (none have dynamics)
sd40s w/ dynos=4000 (i forget what the 4025 is-might have dynamics but is an exception to the rule)
sd40s w/o dynos=4050
all geep38s have dynos, except ONE
wsordave 4 years ago
Ok,
and yes 4025 has dynamics i believe, the only reason why it is 4025 and not 400* is cause that is the 25th Anniversary WSOR Service Loco.
qnuts 4 years ago
Great video! I'm glad somebody videoed these in action. I thought these wigwag's days were numbered when they started ripping up the street and narrowing it to a footpath. That bell is interesting too-it rings a lot slower than I have come to expect from mini bells. How'd you ever catch these?-it is virtually impossible to predict when they will make a move on this stretch of track. You should seriously consider making your own "Wisconsin Signals" DVD.
VespineVid2 4 years ago 2
I heard over the scanner they were going to spin the wye. It was pretty much luck.
Brenton81 4 years ago