Banjo Signal

  

 This circa 1906 right-of-way view along the Reading Railroad shows a good example of an early signal system known as a "banjo signal" because of the signal housing shape. Invented in 1969 by Thomas Hall and were also known as Hall signals. Using an early form of electrical track current, colored red or green fabric mounted on a frame rolled up or down inside the housing and utilized daylight for illumination. There was also a small opening lit by a lantern to show the color aspect at night. Used extensively on the Reading, Hall signals were the predecessors of the semaphore signal system. For more information, follow this link.