The Very Last White River and Northern Railroad

[CRL]

That’s much better... but I remember those lights rotating significantly slower... maybe half that speed.

[DKS]

That’s much better... but I remember those lights rotating significantly slower... maybe half that speed.

Same speed as before. Perhaps, since there are now two lights, it appears to be rotating twice as fast.

[CRL]

Same speed as before. Perhaps, since there are now two lights, it appears to be rotating twice as fast.

You misunderstood what I was trying to say... I was saying the 2 light rotating lites of that era that I remember didn’t rotate that fast, so the flash rate was slower - about the same as your single light unit. Of course, you may have memories of different rotating beacons that flashed faster. YMMV.

[Point353]

And with respect to the crossing gate light flashing issue, here's one to ponder:

The manner in which the lights on the gate arm in that video operate is not compliant with the US DOT/Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices - aka the MUTCD.

In the section on automatic gates, it is stated that:
"When activated, the gate arm light nearest the tip shall be illuminated continuously and the other lights shall flash alternately in unison with the flashing-light signals."

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/part8.pdf

[DKS]

You misunderstood what I was trying to say... I was saying the 2 light rotating lites of that era that I remember didn’t rotate that fast, so the flash rate was slower - about the same as your single light unit. Of course, you may have memories of different rotating beacons that flashed faster. YMMV.

Ah. Now I get it. True, many real ones did spin more slowly, but there have been countless designs over the years that rotate at different rates. This one, for example...

The manner in which the lights on the gate arm in that video operate is not compliant with the US DOT/Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices - aka the MUTCD.

In the section on automatic gates, it is stated that:
"When activated, the gate arm light nearest the tip shall be illuminated continuously and the other lights shall flash alternately in unison with the flashing-light signals."

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/part8.pdf

Well, that's as of 2009. Anyone have information on what was done circa 1955?

[peteski]

The manner in which the lights on the gate arm in that video operate is not compliant with the US DOT/Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices - aka the MUTCD.

In the section on automatic gates, it is stated that:
"When activated, the gate arm light nearest the tip shall be illuminated continuously and the other lights shall flash alternately in unison with the flashing-light signals."

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009r1r2/part8.pdf

I find it humerus that you asked the same question (and received an explanation) back in April.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49183.msg660478#msg660478

[Point353]

I find it humerus that you asked the same question (and received an explanation) back in April.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49183.msg660478#msg660478

My latest response was as a result of the new video posted by DKS showing a crossing gate on which all three lights were flashing.
Glad to hear, though, that your "humerus" apparently isn't fractured.

[Point353]

Well, that's as of 2009. Anyone have information on what was done circa 1955?

Will the 1948 edition suffice?
If not, then there is also the 1954 revision.
 
It states that "the light nearest the tip shall burn steadily and the other two lights shall flash alternately."
Further, it states that "the gate arms shall be painted on both sides with 16-inch alternate diagonal stripes of white and black."

https://ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu/ghawkins/MUTCD-History_files/1948%20MUTCD/1948-Pt3_Signals.pdf
https://ceprofs.civil.tamu.edu/ghawkins/MUTCD-History_files/1948%20MUTCD/1954%20Revision%20to%201948%20MUTCD.pdf

[peteski]

My latest response was as a result of the new video posted by DKS showing a crossing gate on which all three lights were flashing.
Glad to hear, though, that your "humerus" apparently isn't fractured.

Ah, that video shows a 1:1 crossing, even thought it is titled "N scale crossing".  Sorry, I think I got it now.

[jpec]

And the reasoning behind the single non-flashing light is that it is to be treated as a red traffic signal, or so the folks at Operation Lifesaver teach.

Jeff

[DKS]

Further, it states that "the gate arms shall be painted on both sides with 16-inch alternate diagonal stripes of white and black."

I wonder what year it changed to white and red. (No, please don't look it up, I don't need to know.) But I should probably change my gates to white and black to suit the era... nope. They're staying the way they are: white and red with all blinkey lights. It was hard enough changing the police car light; I destroyed 8 LEDs doing it (that's $16 worth).

[Missaberoad]

Roughly, red and white gates stated appearing in the 1960s and became mandated by the FRA in the 1970s.
To add to the complication some locals used yellow and black in the 1940s/50s. 

Putting all that aside, your effort looks amazing, this little layout is going to be a treasure trove of mini scenes!

[DKS]

Latest progress: I replaced the modified Republic Locomotive Works fuel oil tank with one from Showcase Miniatures, the latter being less obtrusive and more interesting-looking. Before:



After:



I also replaced the modified Republic Locomotive Works sanding station with the one I built for a Railwire modeling challenge way back in 2014, the one that's made from half of an old tank car. Again, it's less obtrusive and more interesting-looking. Before:



After:

   

Lastly, I brought the trestle close to completion with modified Chooch abutments and piers--I sliced them into thirds on a table saw, and glued the ends together so they're more size-appropriate for a deck plate girder bridge.



The bridge itself is Atlas throough plate girders with strip styrene top and bottom cover plates and end stiffeners. The plates are assembled onto Micro Engineering HO Scale generic lattice parts.



All I need to do is install shoes and guardrails, and the bridge will be done. Here it is posed without shoes:

[Chris333]

That bridge is so much hotness!

[davefoxx]

That bridge is so much hotness!

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.