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by **EdT.** on Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:15 pm

Curbside Collector wrote:Tony,

That is the optical housing off of an early American Gas Accumulator (AGA) Company beacon. It was the begining of the AGA traffic signal line. The beacon was lit with a flame rather than electric lamps. The optical housing sat on top of a tall square pedestal that housed the acetylene bottle, gas accumulator and burner. The pedestal had "DRIVE TO RIGHT" signs on all four sides. Models of them show up frequently on eBay for model railroading under the usual traffic signal/light searches.

Justin

Hey Justin, are you certain that's an AGA beacon head? It certainly looks very similar but as Larry noted, I'm pretty sure that's an RR item.

Here's the AGA beacon head I think you're mistaking it for:

AFAIK there were only three styles of early AGA 'island' or 'lighthouse' beacons:

Were there any more than these?

by **2070** on Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:52 pm

What ever the yellow painted beacon head is, It was for some type of electric light.

ALL the gas, oil ,kerosene lamps had a vent on the top.

by **Curbside Collector** on Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:16 am

Ahh haa! I guess I was wrong.

Is that your AGA head Ed?

Justin

by **Buttoncopy** on Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:29 pm

Curbside Collector wrote:Tony,

That is the optical housing off of an early American Gas Accumulator (AGA) Company beacon. It was the begining of the AGA traffic signal line. The beacon was lit with a flame rather than electric lamps. The optical housing sat on top of a tall square pedestal that housed the acetylene bottle, gas accumulator and burner. The pedestal had "DRIVE TO RIGHT" signs on all four sides. Models of them show up frequently on eBay for model railroading under the usual traffic signal/light searches.

Justin

I think Lionel made that for standard gauge trains they call the top the diving bell or something Cool :thumbsup:

Just saw all the other posts sorry :lol:

by **EdT.** on Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:30 pm

Curbside Collector wrote:Ahh haa! I guess I was wrong.

Is that your AGA head Ed?

Justin

Oh, no (I wish). Although there is a member here who does have one. And a friend of mine has a complete beacon (with concrete base and all).

by **Nevada Willis** on Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:08 pm

They are called mushrooms. If you Google mushroom traffic signal you will find these links.

http://www.kbrhorse.net/signals/history02.html

http://www.kbrhorse.net/signals/history02.html

Here are a couple of mushroom designs.

Somewhere I have an old American City article from the '20s that was basically a debate between the mushroom camp (who wanted mushrooms to serve as actual traffic signals) and the post mounted / overhead signal camp that argued for devices that could be seen from much farther away. Obviously the post / overhead camp won.

by **Buttoncopy** on Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:51 pm

Wills

That is a great description of traffic signal development!

I love seeing the photos of your restored signals as well as that CH 4 Way with 12" 3M adapters.

Can't wait to see your future updates!

by **Nevada Willis** on Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:15 pm

Thanks, Tony.

Back to the AGA beacon. Here's an old ad that shows the acetylene beacon as well as a cool old fixed 4-way.

by **JonasClark** on Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:21 am

Have posted a thread about these in the main forum. Made In China, I hope you'll contact me - I'm asking about Seattle ones.

by **techtiques** on Fri Sep 27, 2013 12:46 am

This is a traffic pavement marker signal light that was manufactured by the City of Milwaukee. They were in common use through the 1950's.

Here's an image of a couple in use on the island in the center of an intersection --

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Mushroom Lights

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City of Milwaukee Mushroom Light

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