North Conway Wigwag

An Unusual stop for me. I was on a road trip when I stopped by the North Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire and caught this wigwag in action. There are other crossings around the area, but i could only get this one in action. This will probably be the only time you will see a wigwag by me. The Yellow and Black striped gate you see on the other side is a manual crank wishbone gate with what i believe is a lantern swivel gate light. Enjoy this very rare sight.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• North
• Conway
• Wigwag
• (Part
• 1)

[robertgift]

What is the horizontal object left of the swinging (STOP)

(Left of the LOOK LISTEN paddle house.)

Wish you had zoomed in to reveal detail.

Thanks for posting this.

[Crossingman18]

@robertgift For one thing, my Kodak C643 Digi Camra doesn't zoom in when in video mode. I will tell you. Its a series of flashing lights that flash left to right. Most likely it was that style of lighting that became the light flashers we know of today. I have another video of the wigwag that shows those flashing lights better.

[cindy1000000]

Why isn't there a barrier on the other side of the wig - wag level crossing?

[Crossingman18]

because it only leads to a parking lot. this isn't a road, and that gate is a manual crank. it's an antique so its hard to find 2 manual crank gates anymore.

[cindy1000000]

Does that load wig-wag noise damage your ears?

[Crossingman18]

nah, it wasn't the bell of the wigwag that was loud, it was the bell of the locomotive that was loud.

[wiley207]

I remember this back in 2004, when we rode the Conway Scenic railroad Valley train. Great to see vintage trains and rail equipment like this still in action!

[clank4001]

Yes, Ex Maine Central 573, but is a GP7. SInce the P/M was rebuilt in 2005, could have GP9 power assemblies.

[TheJamesmario]

@Crossingman18  it's a nice bell, and original wig-wag.

[Adam19822000]

I went on that train several years back.

[wiley207]

When I rode the train, all of the crossings I saw on the route had crossbucks, and many of them had the red lights and bells. None of them had gates. I could tell right away when riding one of those trains we were about to go through a railroad crossing because the engine's bell would clang and the horn would sound.

[CRQ5508]

oy. you guys. #573 is ex Guilford Railsystem, originally Maine Central 573. Funny thing about 573, it wore three coats of maroon paint (including this one), two different coats of green, and was the second unit to wear GRS gray. For a time it was lettered for D&H! on 11/16/81 the 573 wrecked in Miles Pond Vt where after repairs it got it's second coat of maroon paint.

[Fairhavenbranch]

I've always wondered which railroad the CSRR acquired this signal from, my guess would either be the MEC or the B&M.