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Signs and Signals
4 way signals
Eagle Art

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.

4 way and GE comparison
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:
 
Intersection:
Number of heads/ Notes:
Light Street & Fort Avenue
2 Eagles
Hanover Street & Fort Avenue
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



Survivors
Lombard and Washington
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.
Gone but not forgotten
Mc Culloh and Lafayette
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!

Crouse Hinds
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.

Crouse Hinds
Eagle and Crouse Hinds
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.
Patterson Park and Orleans
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!


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!
Oliver and Wasington
Eagle at Night
Eagle at Night - Time Exposure showing one of two Eagles at Charles and Biddle Streets in Mount Vernon.

THE THREE FACES OF AN EAGLE:
all tunnel
1. Although the foreground green lens shows a scalloped visor, this Eagle at Light Street and Fort Avenue displays the hooded shade visor configuration.
2 top tunnel
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.
3 cutaway
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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