Signs & Signals
4 WAY TRAFFIC SIGNALS
| If you were to browse a
"Clip-Art" website for an image of a traffic signal, odds are that most
of the results would show 4-Way Non-Adjustable heads. Despite this
endearment and iconization in the paper world, the fact is that these signal
heads are quite scarce in seeing actual use in this day and age.
With a movement towards "Bigger is Better" and standardization ever more
universal, the 4 way head is an increasingly rare and obsolete breed these
days.
A small handful do continue to serve, with some at all but forgotten minor intersections. Yet however, there are some that serve some very heavily served, and rapidly cycled intersections with excellent service day after day. Interestingly, a number of these lights serve intersections of streets that were long ago converted from a two-way flow to a one-way flow, thus making one, if not two of their faces mostly unnecessary, aside from pedestrian use. NOTE - In 3/2002, the two Eagles at McCulloh and Whitelock were observed being removed. A query to the crew performing the work as to the fate of the signals was given a response that the signals were in the process of being eliminated. A follow up visit to the shops by an area signal enthusiast revealed that the signals are not to be eliminated but rehabbed, as there is a considerable amount of liking for the old 4-ways from people in the Department. It will be interesting to watch and see how this story unfolds. |
Mix and Match lights at Wolfe & Aliceanna show the difference between the Eagle 4-Way "Non-Adjustable" signal heads and the GE design of 4 composed signals. |
The overwhelming majority of these signal heads were made by EAGLE, although a single Crouse-Hinds 4-way (distinguished by it's sleeker, more streamlined look) has managed to linger on as well. Below is a chart showing the locations of these remaining signals - This list is believed to be accurate and complete as of February, 2002:
Eagle at Night - Time Exposure showing one of two Eagles at Charles and Biddle Streets in Mount Vernon.4 Way Non-Adjustable Traffic Signals
Light Street & Fort Avenue 2 Eagles Hanover Street & Fort Avenue 2 Eagles Charles & Montgomery Streets 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic Charles & Chase Streets 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic Charles & Biddle Streets 2 Eagles, only two faces face traffic Monroe & Baker Streets 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic Monroe Street & Lafayette Avenue 1 Eagle, 1 Crouss-Hinds, only three faces face traffic Edmondson Avenue & Payson Street 2 Eagles Preston Street & Lakewood Avenue 2 Eagles Lombard & Washington Streets 2 Eagles, only two faces face traffic Wolfe & Aliceanna Streets 2 Eagles Gay Street, Oliver Street, and Washington Street 1 Eagle Huntingdon Avenue & 29th Street 1 Eagle, only three faces face traffic Mc Culloh Street & Lafayette Avenue 1 Eagle, only three faces face traffic
REMOVED 6/2002Mc Culloh & Presstman Streets 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic Mc Culloh & Whitelock Streets 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic -
REMOVED 3/2002 - SEE ABOVE FOR DETAILSDruid Hill Avenue & Whitelock Street 2 Eagles, only three faces face traffic Pennsylvania Avenue & Presstman Street 2 Eagles NEW - Patterson Park Ave. & Orleans Street 1 Eagle
YOUR TYPICAL EAGLE
Signal at McCulloh Street and Lafayette Avenue is just one of 34 existing 4-ways in Baltimore City. Though not the presence they once were, they still are a common site for many people's commute! - ALERT!!! THIS PAIR OF HEADS REMOVED 6/2002!!!
THE THREE FACES OF AN EAGLE 
Perhaps the most attractive of the three varieties is represented by this signal at Charles and Montgomery Streets, in which all lenses carry a scalloped visor.
Although the foreground green lens shows a scalloped visor, this Eagle at Light Street and Fort Avenue displays the hooded shade visor configuration.
The other head at Light and Fort carries hooded shade visors on the Red and Amber signals, but a scalloped visor on the Green Signal. This setup seems to be the most common.
THE SOLE SOLDIER: Baltimore's sole surviving Crouse-Hinds 4-way non-adjustable signal head (on the right, complete with retrofitted Eagle Bottom) stands guard at Lafayette Avenue and Monroe Street on Baltimore's West Side. The light is distinguished from it's Eagle cousin by its more slender frame.
THE LAST IN THE CENTER
THE "NEW" 4 WAY! A new 4 way in the 1990's?!? Sort of! Once handled by a GE Cluster, the Western light at Patterson Park Avenue and Orleans Street is now guarded by an Eagle 4-Way! It is believed that this light originally was the companion to the one survivor at Wolfe and Aliceanna. Thanks to Chris McNally for the Heads-Up on this one!
MANY THANKS GO OUT TO GEORGE KNARR AND CHRIS McNALLY FOR THEIR LEADS AND EXPERTISE REGARDING THIS PAGE.
