SignalTraffic Forums

by **MN-20** on Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:43 pm

Lot of us take pride in acquiring, restoring and displaying historic signals. While I'm certainly a member of this esteemed group, I've also found many current signals to be just as interesting, and I've spent a lot of time checking out new installations. (If you've ever seen a shiny new signal head, say in New York City, resplendent with glass lenses and spotless finish, you'll understand what I mean.) For some of us, scoring a new head in the box is just as rewarding as landing that Deco you've had your eyes on for years. General Traffic Equipment makes an 8" signal that is essentially a copy of the last generation of Marbelites--in fact, the doors are still marked "Marbelite" on the inside. No doubt this will lead to confusion among collectors in the future a la the Marbelite/Horni/Ruleta mystery today.

Enough from me. Here are the pictures:

I'm lucky I could find a light out of the box that meets my strict specifications, namely, glass sawtooth lenses
(I call 'em crystals) dark green finish, Alzak reflectors, and cap visors.
Quite simply, how a traffic light should look :mrgreen:

.

The visor clips are simply formed into the aluminum, like those on LFE's and the finish, while attractive, seems to be the cheap powdercoat that's just dying to start peeling off in hunks--I've seen this on GTE heads in New York.

by **SirMarbelot** on Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:28 am

Very cool, Jesse. Someone finally got a new GTE! I've seen these scattered around Bergen County, NJ, and in NYC of course. You can tell the yellow GTE's by the very dark yellow shade. I haven't noticed that they are peeling though.

by **EdT.** on Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:25 am

Sir Marbelot wrote:I haven't noticed that they are peeling though.

I disagree, I think they are very a-peeling... :oops:

(sorry, couldn't resist).

Nice one Jesse and thanks for the unboxing shots of the GTE. Although I must say that I pack signals better than GTE does...(geez, they didn't even remove the visors)

by **MN-20** on Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:15 am

I disagree, I think they are very a-peeling... :oops:

(sorry, couldn't resist).

Ouch! :lol:

Another problem is that the gaskets on the doors is not glue or epoxied in, it just sits in the groove. I've seen several in service with the door closed on the gaskets, dangling out (and, of course, meaning the signal is not weather-tight.) I'm going to carefully epoxy mine in.

The box the signal comes in accommodates it well with the visors on. I've successfully shipped several signals this way. The box distributes any weight on the visors evenly, so unless a gorilla jumps on it, the visors will not be damaged.

by **gwlreno** on Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:41 pm

What I'd like to know is did you get this signal directly from GTE, and if so, how?

I tried for years to get them to sell me a particular slipfitter, and all I ever got was "We'll call you back.", and they never did.

Gordon

by **MN-20** on Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:28 pm

gwlreno wrote:What I'd like to know is did you get this signal directly from GTE, and if so, how?

I tried for years to get them to sell me a particular slipfitter, and all I ever got was "We'll call you back.", and they never did.

Gordon

I tried calling them too, and even called back saying, "I was in the hospital (true story) and thought maybe I'd missed your call." No luck. I got the signal from a contractor I know. Evidently, GTE isn't too fond of dealing with municipalities and contractors either...

by **3liteguy** on Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:42 pm

Evidently, GTE isn't too fond of dealing with municipalities and contractors either...

Soooo they won't deal with individuals or muni's or contractors? Who the hell does that leave to sell signals to?

And please Jesse show us the back!

3lg

by **gwlreno** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:28 pm

I kinda got the idea (can't remember exactly from where) that they do most of their business with New York City. Maybe we little guys just aren't worth their time and trouble to deal with. The one thing that really gripes me about them is that instead of admitting that fact when you talk to them, they give you that "I'll call you back" line.

Gordon

by **MN-20** on Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:59 pm

3liteguy wrote:And please Jesse show us the back!

3lg

Sheesh, do I gotta do everything here?? Can't you just stand in the middle of 5th Avenue in New York on a sunny day and gawk like I did?! :mrgreen:

You can see that the original "New York U S A" from the Marbelite cast remains, and the GTE graphics are rather crudely grafted in place of the Marbelite logo. Whatever it takes to keep the Marbelite aesthetic alive..

by **SirMarbelot** on Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:54 am

MN-20 wrote:Whatever it takes to keep the Marbelite aesthetic alive..

A big AMEN to that!!

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