W.S. Darley & Co. C-811 Three Bulb 4-Way Traffic Signal

This is a version of the function of a restored traffic signal that was of one of the earliest automatic traffic signal designs, operating with its original Reynolds Time-O-Matic controller.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Darley
• C-811

[TarzanAndConz]

Are there any moving parts visible in the controller?

[wildhorseguy]

@TarzanAndConz Here are some still photos of the signal as it was restored with views of the controller. It is a simple induction wheel motor with reduction gears that drive three cams on a camshaft. kbrhorse.net/signals/darley_c8­11-01.html

[denelson83]

Notice the green lenses don't have a little blue in them, unlike in today's traffic signals.

[wildhorseguy]

Some of the really old green lenses were truly green - a difficult situation for drivers with red-green color blindness, especially when there was no standard as to what color went on top. By the end of WW-II ITE specifications called for uniform pigment standards that included brighter yellows (that couldn't be confused with red from a distance) and blue tinted greens.

[BBT609]

Thats why the green are like an aqua green.

[MarkL0360]

There was one other Darley C-810 in Wellsville, at 17th and Commerce Streets, but it was utilized as a wig-wag.

[MarkL0360]

I remember seeing one of these C-811's in operation back in the mid-1960's in Wellsville, Ohio (the corner of 15th and Main Streets). There was also a C-810 a few blocks east, at Center and 10th. The old junction of Ohio Routes 7/39 and 45 had three Darley Simplexes up until 1973.

[WILDSIGNSIGNALMAN]

Thanks for the tip of going on ebay to find lights tured out that i found a Darley cool light and nice video.

[cleostreet]

I remember one of these, or one very much like this one, in Cooperstown NY in the 50s. The yellow overlap sequence is timed like a lot of those I remember as a kid in Connecticut.