My thanks to Steve Timko and Gordon Davis for addressing my questions regarding the standard DLW post-1930 signal system. Quite a coincidence that Gordon basically answered my second question 12 hours before I asked it, unbeknownst to me. The people on this list are a very good info source, but that's the first time I've had my question anticipated! Gordon made a good point about what could have happened had one of the top head lenses been obstructed by some ambitious birds in the spring, or some wet leaves driven by the wind in autumn, or a freezing sleet storm in winter. Assuming that there were never any incidents caused by this, the EL and the DLW got off lucky. I always admired the DLW / US&S system for its standardization and efficiency (e.g., same design was used for both automatics and home signals), but given the fact that no one else adopted it, perhaps there was an inherent flaw to it. On a related note regarding the topic of signals ... I had heard that some of the signal equipment used to equip the ex-Erie Greenwood Lake line with block signals from Mt. View to Forest Hills in 1962 and 63 came from equipment salvaged from the DL&W main line from West Binghamton to Corning after the 1958 Southern Tier consolidation with the Erie. Most of the new automatic signals along the Lake were 2-head arrangements, top head having three lights RYG, bottom head having two, RG (each head was always expected to be lit, so there wasn't an "unlit arm" problem). Thus, the system was not using the DLW RYYG wiring setup; but supposedly, some of the signal heads, relays, masts and boxes were recycled from the DL. The two-light heads on the Lake seemed very similar to the DLW's, but the 3 light heads were more questionable (unless the DLW used 3 light heads on the level-grade lines west of Bingo, where there wasn't need for a double-approach system?? Showing my lack of Lackawanna knowledge here; too bad that the Taber books didn't include a chapter on switch and signal equipment). Jim Gerofsky _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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