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Description
I have for you drawings of a what is called a "Griswold Signal." These are an older type of flashing railroad crossing signal that dates back possibly to the 1930s. These were made by the Griswold Signal Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This signal pretty much works like the signals we see today, ringing bell, alternating flashing red lights, but there's something else added to the mix in this signal: a STOP sign. Only this isn't just any STOP sign, this is a rotating STOP sign.

How this signal works is, when there is no train coming, the flashers are off and the bell, if there is one, is silent, and the STOP sign is faced away from approaching traffic (LEFT). When a train is coming, the red lights flash alternately and the bell rings, and at the same time the lights flash, the STOP sign rotates to face approaching traffic (RIGHT,) having the same meaning as a regular STOP sign usually seen at street/road-intersections. The signal remains flashing and the STOP sign continues to face traffic until the train completely passes through and not another train is on the way, then the bell goes silent, the lights go out, and the STOP sign rotates facing away from traffic.

Some of these have existed up into the 21st century and there may still be some lingering around but many of them are replaced with more modern signals or being removed altogether because of abandoned railroad line or possibly closure of crossing on still-active railroad line. And these were common in California and in Minnesota (and I've seen a few in person when I was staying in MN,) well that's what I know, it's not to say there weren't any in other states. Some remaining Griswold signals, though, had their STOP signs removed altogether, and those are the ones I've seen.

These are cool signals, and though I admittedly don't like these as much as our modern-day signals, I like them better than the wig wag signals. It's just too bad they're not made anymore. Oh before I forget, the lights are Griswold type A flashers, and they are 8" and incandescent (I've never seen or heard of this type of Griswold signal with L.E.D.s or an electronic bell, although that could happen, just too bad Griswold signals are being removed from service.)

At least some places have Griswold Signals, including Railroad Museums and some still work!

And also, although these were fairly or relatively common in the early to mid 20th century, I don't remember seeing any of these featured on any animated cartoons or movies, I'm used to either seeing passive railroad crossing signs, wig wags, or black and white gates, but no Griswold flashing light signals on any cartoon shows or movies (if you know any that did list any, please list them, thank you.)

To see some real live Griswold Signals:
rrx.chadkluck.net/2010/05/trip…
www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/g… (This one shows a crossing where a Griswold signal was knocked over and had to be replaced with a more modern signal with 12" lights. Can also be seen on Mike's Railroad Crossing Website. www.rxrsignals.com/California/…
A Picture by Mike Gus www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/m… (page this appears on www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/m… )
www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/g… On this link you can see an animated Griswold signal graphic, get an idea on how the Griswold crossing signals worked. And further below the page you can find a Griswold diagram.

You can find more on Google Images, just look up Griswold Signals or Griswold Crossing Signals.

Description
I have for you drawings of a what is called a "Griswold Signal." These are an older type of flashing railroad crossing signal that dates back possibly to the 1930s. These were made by the Griswold Signal Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

This signal pretty much works like the signals we see today, ringing bell, alternating flashing red lights, but there's something else added to the mix in this signal: a STOP sign. Only this isn't just any STOP sign, this is a rotating STOP sign.

How this signal works is, when there is no train coming, the flashers are off and the bell, if there is one, is silent, and the STOP sign is faced away from approaching traffic (LEFT). When a train is coming, the red lights flash alternately and the bell rings, and at the same time the lights flash, the STOP sign rotates to face approaching traffic (RIGHT,) having the same meaning as a regular STOP sign usually seen at street/road-intersections. The signal remains flashing and the STOP sign continues to face traffic until the train completely passes through and not another train is on the way, then the bell goes silent, the lights go out, and the STOP sign rotates facing away from traffic.

Some of these have existed up into the 21st century and there may still be some lingering around but many of them are replaced with more modern signals or being removed altogether because of abandoned railroad line or possibly closure of crossing on still-active railroad line. And these were common in California and in Minnesota (and I've seen a few in person when I was staying in MN,) well that's what I know, it's not to say there weren't any in other states. Some remaining Griswold signals, though, had their STOP signs removed altogether, and those are the ones I've seen.

These are cool signals, and though I admittedly don't like these as much as our modern-day signals, I like them better than the wig wag signals. It's just too bad they're not made anymore. Oh before I forget, the lights are Griswold type A flashers, and they are 8" and incandescent (I've never seen or heard of this type of Griswold signal with L.E.D.s or an electronic bell, although that could happen, just too bad Griswold signals are being removed from service.)

At least some places have Griswold Signals, including Railroad Museums and some still work!

And also, although these were fairly or relatively common in the early to mid 20th century, I don't remember seeing any of these featured on any animated cartoons or movies, I'm used to either seeing passive railroad crossing signs, wig wags, or black and white gates, but no Griswold flashing light signals on any cartoon shows or movies (if you know any that did list any, please list them, thank you.)

To see some real live Griswold Signals:
rrx.chadkluck.net/2010/05/trip…
www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/g… (This one shows a crossing where a Griswold signal was knocked over and had to be replaced with a more modern signal with 12" lights. Can also be seen on Mike's Railroad Crossing Website. www.rxrsignals.com/California/…
A Picture by Mike Gus www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/m… (page this appears on www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/m… )
www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/g… On this link you can see an animated Griswold signal graphic, get an idea on how the Griswold crossing signals worked. And further below the page you can find a Griswold diagram.

You can find more on Google Images, just look up Griswold Signals or Griswold Crossing Signals.