Cuba City in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Semaphore Signal (Traffic Signal)

Semaphore Signal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

1. Semaphore Signal Marker

Inscription.
These signals were used to warn the engineer of the traffic ahead.

The tracks were divided into sections of 2 to 10 miles. One of these signals was placed at the beginning of each of these sections. It is activated by pressure switches under the rails.

The arm was operated by a motor and had three positions and lights.

DOWN (Red Light) Indicates a train or work crew is on the section immediately ahead.

HORIZONTAL (Yellow Light) Section ahead is open, but traffic or work crew is on the second section ahead.

UP (Green Light) Full speed ahead. The track is clear for the next two sections.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 42° 36.315′ N, 90° 25.875′ W. Marker is in Cuba City, Wisconsin, in Grant County. Marker can be reached from South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker and semaphore are located in the Cuba City Presidential Courtyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 South Main Street, Cuba City WI 53807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tools of the Railroad (here, next to this marker); The Milk Trains (here, next

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to this marker); Baggage / Milk Cart (here, next to this marker); The Speeder Car w/Tools (here, next to this marker); Railroad Track Width (a few steps from this marker); The Chimes of Time (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Presidents — Presidential Shields (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whistle Post (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cuba City.

Also see . . . Railway Semaphore Signal (Wikipedia). These signals display their different indications to train drivers by changing the angle of inclination of a pivoted 'arm'. Semaphore signals were patented in the early 1840s by Joseph James Stevens, and soon became the most widely used form of mechanical signal. Designs have altered over the intervening years, and color light signals have replaced semaphore signals in most countries, but in a few they remain in use. (Submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Semaphore Signal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

2. Semaphore Signal

(marker mounted near bottom)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.