Danbury in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Wilton Semaphore

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

1. Wilton Semaphore Marker

Inscription. Wilton Semaphore This semaphore, once located at the Wilton, CT. railroad station on the Danbury branch, played a vital role in keeping trains moving safely. Similar to a traffic light, the semaphore made sure one train wouldn’t run into another train farther up the tracks. The signal was located atop a tall pole so it could be seen by the train crew before they arrived in the station. It gave two signal indications. When the blade was horizontal, it meant “Stop”. When the blade was dropped, it meant “Proceed”. One blade was for trains coming north, the other was for trains going south. The light on the blade was to help the engineer see the signal at night.
The semaphore was controlled by the operator on duty inside the station, manually moving tube blades which were connected to a rod and lever system. A freight train could not pass the semaphore until it got all the paperwork, called “Orders”, from the operator. The operator would only throw the “proceed” signal back to “Stop” after the caboose had passed, so as not to confuse the conductor who worked in the back of the train.
The semaphore was retired under Metro-North Commuter Railroad in the late 1990’s, and was replaced by signal lights operated out of Grand Central Terminal.

Erected by

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Danbury Railway Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 41° 23.855′ N, 73° 26.982′ W. Marker is in Danbury, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of White Street and Balmforth Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Danbury Rail Yard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 White Street, Danbury CT 06810, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. CV Flatcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston & Maine ALCO 2-6-0 Mogul 1455 (within shouting distance of this marker); Hitchcock Picnic Area (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hitchcock Picnic Area (within shouting distance of this marker); NYC Crane, “GCT-1” (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Danbury Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome Back Home Uncle Sam (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meeker's Hardware (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danbury.

Also see . . .
1. Danbury Railway Museum. (Submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Danbury Railway Museum on Wikipedia.

Wilton Operator's Shack image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

2. Wilton Operator's Shack

(Submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Wilton Semaphore and Operator's Shack image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

3. Wilton Semaphore and Operator's Shack

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

4. Wilton Semaphore and Operator's Shack

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.