Willis Lamm's Traffic Signal Collection

Willis Lamm's
Traffic Signal Collection

TRAFFIC SIGNAL APPLICATIONS
FOR SET DESIGNS

Here are some examples of signals in the collection and how they could properly be used in period appropriate set designs. Click each photograph to go to a more detailed description page describing each signal. Since illumination sequences varied in the earlier days of electric traffic control, period correct controllers are available.

Early signals were typically painted dark hunter green, black or gray, with a trend towards school bus yellow starting in the late 1950s. Early suspended signals often used cutaway or "ball cap" visors to make it easier for pedestrians near corners to observe the light sequences.

Click on a photo to go to a more detailed description of each signal.

1920s 4-Way Signals

W.S. Darley & Co. Signal
W.S. Darley & Co's Model C-811 signal was patterned after the traffic signal designed by Detroit Traffic Police Superintendent William Potts. Potts is credited with designing and installing the very first three color electric traffic signal that was hung over the intesection of Woodward and Michigan Aves. in October, 1920.
The Darley signal was designed for commercial sale and was more advanced than the Potts signal. It had more prominant sun visors, wider angle diffused lenses, and an automatic controller. However it still employed Potts' idea of operating with only three bulbs, with each bulb shining in four directions. In order for the light to regulate traffic, the main street had what we consider the conventional arrangement of red on the top and green on the bottom, while the cross street had to have green on the top and red on the bottom, which actually was not that uncommon in the early days of traffic signals.

1930s 4-Way Signals

Southern Autoflow
The Southern Autoflow signal was made by Southern Switch Co. of Shreveport, LA. Autoflows were particularly popular in small southern towns. These were internally controlled signals that had what we would consider by today's standards as "sloppy" controllers. There was not a great deal of timing accuracy as the signal changed colors, however lack of precision was common in many of the "stand alone" signals. Also it was very common back then for the green light to stay on during the yellow interval.
This particular signal was probably manufactured in the 1940s however we've seen this model advertised as far back as 1930.

WW-II Era 4-Way Signals

Crouse-Hinds DT
This is a Crouse-Hinds DT with tunnel visors. The provenance of this particular signal is New Orleans. The signal is equipped with period correct "smiley" lenses and this display includes a protected left turn pendant (which can be removed.) Crouse-Hinds was a significant manufacturer of signals for all sizes of communities, making 4-way signals from the late 1920s through the 1960s.

Eagle Pagoda
The Eagle Pagoda style signal was produced from the early 1940s to the early 1960s and were still seen in service in small towns into the early 1990s. They generally weren't replaced with more modern signals unless they failed or were damaged. This is an earlier style "Eaglelux" model that came out with lettered lenses. Externally only an expert could distinguish it from 1950s through 1960s models. The Pagoda is available with lettered and non-lettered lenses.

Marbelite with Presto Brite Sign
This Marbelite is a classic WW-II configuration from Seattle, complete with a lighted "Presto Brite" sign box. The sign boxes typically indicated one-way directions or restrictions such as "NO TURNS" or "NO U-TURN."

Signals can be repainted for specific set requirements. Many can either be wire hung or adapted for post mounting.
Additional models and designs can be located for specific requirements.