Manufacturers & Models

The following is a list of manufacturers and models.

Magnetic Signal Co.

The Magnetic Signal Co. is without a doubt the most iconic wigwag manufacturer. The Magnetic Signal Company referred to their wigwags as the 'Magnetic WigWag Flagman', more commonly the 'Magnetic Flagman'. The company was formed in the early 1910s and disbanded in the 1960s.

Early PE Type

This is the first design that the Magnetic Signal Company made, based off of Albert Hunt's original wigwag.

Model 3

This is a typical wigwag.

Model 10

This model is similar to the model 3 wigwag, but with a lower mount, which seems that it was made for side-of-street installations in the city.

'Cascadian' Type

The Cascadian type (as I refer to it) is similar to the upper-quadrant wigwag, but with a lower-quadrant banner. It seems this model was made to more similarly mimic a flagman waving a banner.

Model 11

This is a unique design used primarily by the Union Pacific. It also could feature a crossbuck above the motor box.

Model 12

This is a very unique wigwag similar to the model 11, but with a banner with the lettering 'STOP' written on the bottom of the banner.

'Upper-Quadrant' Type

There really isn't much to be said other than it's the upper-quadrant wigwag.

Model 13

I'm not sure what to say about this, but there's an instance of this model on the Niles Canyon Railway. This is a tall upper-quadrant wigwag with a set of modern flashers.

'N&W' Type

The Norfolk & Western bought normal upper-quadrant wigwags and switched out the banners for their own custom banners. Some even came with two lamps.

Western Railroad Supply Co.

This is perhaps the second-most recognizable wigwag, though it can also be mixed up between a Magnetic Signal wigwag. The WRRS bought the Bryant-Zinc company and the L.S. Brach Mfg Co., and made its very own 'Model 5 Magnetic Autoflag'. Take a look:

Type 1 AutoFlag

This is a VERY rare prototype. You can tell it's early becausse of its similar design to the Bryant-Zinc's 'Autowag'.

Type 3-A AutoFlag

I like to call this the 3A AutoFlag. The design would be taken into the Model 5 series, but wouldn't be widespread.

Type 3-B AutoFlag

This is another design that was brought to the Model 5 series. Note the locomotive bell on top, it seems this was during the period that mechanical bells had not yet been manufactured.

'Harpes' AutoFlag

This is considered the 'center-of-street' wigwag for the Model 5 series, though most were installed off to the sides. The 'harpes' design would go through many variations, this seems like the first.

Model 5 AutoFlag

This is the standard, run-of-the-mill WRRS Model 5 AutoFlag. Not much to be said here.

Model 5-A AutoFlag

This is a unique setup, the only instance of which saw use on the NKP at Roseburg, IN. It featured two armatures complete with an AutoFlag at each end, making for easy sight on roads with medians.

Union Switch & Signal Co. Type 'DW'

This is the third-most recognized wigwag manufacturer out there. US&S's design was much different to all other manufacturers, the most notable being that it was tall, and its motor box was located at the intersection of its pole and armature. It could come with or without a hide. Other than that, their model doesn't vary, this is really the only version it came with.

(PHOTOS FROM HERE AND DOWN ARE NOT MINE)

Automatic Flagman Co.

As it currently stands today, there are no examples of this wigwag remaining. This company was NOT a predecessor of Magnetic Signal, instead having been its own separate entity from 1913 to 1918, when their charter was suspended due to failing to pay taxes.

These wigwags are fairly simple to tell apart from others, the most notable fact being their unique motor box. Other than that, they are installed on small poles, they lack a built-in bell, and the lamp usually installed with these units are rather small in proportion to the banner.

Railway Specialties Co.

From the untrained eye, it looks like a mix between the designs of the Magnetic Signal Co. and the Automatic Flagman Co. And it might be, I'm not actually sure. There are a few subtle differences, the most notable being the smaller weights. Other than that, this is virtually indistinguishable from an early Magnetic Flagman.

Bryant Zinc Company

This is definitely an interesting one. It looks similar to that of a Union Switch & Signal type DW, but with a shorter support and without a hide. Also notable is the lamp in the middle of the banner, much like most other wigwag manufacturers, of course except for US&S. There are very, very, VERY few of these in existence, if at all. The last instance is at the Illinois Railway Museum. It's not actually up, but I was able to get in contact with the museum, and they said they were working on it.

Hoeschen Manufacturing Company

Pictured at left is the design that the Hoeschen Mfg Co. came up with in 1915. I have never seen it before, but there is actually a documented instance of a unit in the wild.

Pictured at right is what they call a 'Hoeschen Magneto-Mechanical Signal'. It looks pretty much just like a wigwag, just that the circular banner is replaced with a semaphore-looking banner.

Northwestern Pacific (custom wigwag)

This is what NWP referred to as a 'home-made wigwag'. You can barely distinguish the flag on the wigwag, but it says 'STOP' and swings back and forth. This is the only known instance of such model.

Protective Signal Manufacturing Company

From what I understand, this is a subsidiary of National Switch & Signal Co. This is a worm-gear wigwag, driven by a 600 watt motor. There are no known instances of any in modern-day to the best of my knowledge.

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