Ahhh the classic "kerchunk" that I so remember as a kid in the 80s. I loved waking past these when I'd head home. I'd just sit by the cabinet and listen to the sounds and watching the lights change. There's something very special about these old controllers. It's like the difference between analog music recordings (records) and digital music recordings (MP3) the old way was just better. Interesting thing I remember was there was no "all red clearance" sequence. It was an instantaneous red on main to green on cross street. Nowadays with so many red light runners, we need that all red clearance.
Loved the sound. When biking, I could “guess” the light was about to switch to green because of the cross-traffic yellow light contactor sound. And as you said, here in Montréal, they had a 60W bulb lamp inside to keep the mechanism from freezing in the winter.
Thank you very much for posting this video. I own two Type F cabinets with one missing a door. One is a General Electric and the other an Econolite brand. Both of them are in pieces currently and are in the process of restoration. I am looking for official manuals for these cabinets to aid me in repairing them, as some parts might need to be replaced or rebuilt. Do you happen to have any of them by chance?
you think they were complicated, you should look into an old electro-mechanical pinball machine..so many ratchet wheel relays and stacked switches etc. They were nightmares at times to work on.
Cloverdale Rail -Fortunately, I'm glad I have a stockplile of parts for all my electros...at least they will serve for many years to come here at the museum!
I have a marblelite controller that has the same “s” terminals on the back panel, I thought it might be something to change the dials but it only has one dial (it is almost identical to a ge novalux controller) I was wondering if you could tell me what those are for.
I live in Uptown in Chicago and I am proud to say we still have these up and working :-)
Ahhh the classic "kerchunk" that I so remember as a kid in the 80s. I loved waking past these when I'd head home. I'd just sit by the cabinet and listen to the sounds and watching the lights change. There's something very special about these old controllers. It's like the difference between analog music recordings (records) and digital music recordings (MP3) the old way was just better.
Interesting thing I remember was there was no "all red clearance" sequence. It was an instantaneous red on main to green on cross street. Nowadays with so many red light runners, we need that all red clearance.
I love watching old electromechanical devices work!
Loved the sound.
When biking, I could “guess” the light was about to switch to green because of the cross-traffic yellow light contactor sound.
And as you said, here in Montréal, they had a 60W bulb lamp inside to keep the mechanism from freezing in the winter.
Thanks for watching!
That is a great old cabinet and appreciate your explanation of how it works! Certain Eagle controllers from 90's reference dials and now I know why.
Thanks for watching!
Wow I love it. Great overview! Now I gotta come check your museum
Thank you!
Hey
thanks for showing this off, I have heard lots about them but never had the chance to see one up close, Very neat operation.
Cole Packard Thanks for watching!
That is pretty cool! Thanks for posting.
axeandrail glad you enjoyed and stay tuned...more to come!
Thank you sir for posting it. I just want to know that where I can find the details written of it?
I love stuff like this!
Thank you very much for posting this video. I own two Type F cabinets with one missing a door. One is a General Electric and the other an Econolite brand. Both of them are in pieces currently and are in the process of restoration. I am looking for official manuals for these cabinets to aid me in repairing them, as some parts might need to be replaced or rebuilt. Do you happen to have any of them by chance?
hi John... very interesting piece of equipment & pretty complicated... aren't you glad we use electronics??? thanks for sharing... vinny
bnsf6951 Glad for the reliability today...but am nostalgic a bit for the smells and sounds of the electromechanicals. Thanks for your comment Vinny!
you think they were complicated, you should look into an old electro-mechanical pinball machine..so many ratchet wheel relays and stacked switches etc. They were nightmares at times to work on.
There’s still a few of these in service in downtown Chicago
Those were pretty neat the day the parts were hard to come by in the latter years, not sorry to see them go
Cloverdale Rail -Fortunately, I'm glad I have a stockplile of parts for all my electros...at least they will serve for many years to come here at the museum!
could you PLEASE tell me if you have any spare eagle ef 20 dial units i NEED one really bad
I have a marblelite controller that has the same “s” terminals on the back panel, I thought it might be something to change the dials but it only has one dial (it is almost identical to a ge novalux controller) I was wondering if you could tell me what those are for.
Hey John, want to check this thread and see if you agree?
highwaydivides.com/showthread.php/4206-Which-is-it