
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.
SUBNOTE:
As of June in 2004, no signals that have been removed have been
reinstalled at their original locations or elsewhere. In
addition, reports indicate an upcoming conversion of city signals to
LED. It appears that time is limited for the remaining sets of 4
way signals in Baltimore City.
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 from July of 2001, revised to show changes to June of 2004:
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Intersection:
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Number of
heads/ Notes:
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Light Street
& Fort Avenue
|
2 Eagles
|
|
Hanover Street
& Fort Avenue
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2 Eagles - REDUCED TO 1 SIGNAL JAN '03
OTHER SIGNAL GONE BY MAY '04
|
|
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
|
1 Eagle
|
|
Gay Street,
Oliver Street, and Washington Street
|
1 Eagle, only
three faces face traffic
|
|
Huntingdon Avenue
& 29th Street
|
1 Eagle, only
three faces face traffic
|
|
Mc Culloh Street
& Lafayette Avenue
|
2 Eagles, only
three faces face traffic
REMOVED 6/2002,
in T&T Possesion
|
|
Mc 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 STORY
|
|
Druid Hill Avenue
& Whitelock Street
|
2 Eagles, only
three faces face traffic
|
|
Pennsylvania
Avenue & Presstman Street
|
2 Eagles
|
|
Patterson Park Ave. & Orleans Street
|
1 Eagle
|

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The backdrop of
the modern city skyline contrast against this ancient Eagle holding
guard at Lombard and Washington Streets. Being the intesection of
fwo one-way streets, this signal only has two useful faces.
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Signal at McCulloh Street
and Lafayette Avenue was just one of 34 existing 4-ways in Baltimore City in 2001.
Though not the presence they once were, they still are a common site for
many people's commute! - ALERT!!! SIGNAL HEADS
WERE GONE AS OF A 6/2002 VISIT!
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Baltimore's sole surviving
Crouse-Hinds 4-way non-adjustable signal head 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.
|

|

A look at the sole
Crouse Hinds next to the Eagle Signal it accompanies. Notice the
differences in the stylings between the two signal heads.
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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!
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While the West Side may
have the last of the Crouse-Hinds lights, the East side carries the last
CENTER of the intersection light in the entire city. Although now
aided by some GE 2-Ways, this Eagle has kept guard over the center of this
intersection for over 40 years!
|

|

Eagle at Night - Time Exposure
showing one of two Eagles at Charles and Biddle Streets in Mount Vernon.
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THE THREE FACES OF AN EAGLE:
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1. Although the foreground
green lens shows a scalloped visor, this Eagle at Light Street and Fort
Avenue displays the hooded shade visor configuration.
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2. The other head at Light
and Fort carries hooded shade visors on the Red and Amber signals, but
a cutaway visor on the Green Signal. This setup seems to be the
most common.
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Perhaps the most attractive
of the three varieties is represented by this signal at Charles and Montgomery
Streets, in which all lenses carry a cutaway visor.
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MORE NEWS ON THE LAST FEW? CONTACT ME!
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