1962 Econolite “Short Groove” Pedestrian Signal:
Econolite has really become a favorite for me. Mainly because of its iconic construction and company history. I have found a few out in the wild including a school zone signal not too far from my house. Partly because of my original signal I really have a warm spot in my heart for them. I know I was very lucky to find that signal and have since found another just like it that will be another fun restoration project, this time reusing ALL the original equipment. But, that is not the reason for this entry…
After finishing the traffic signal, I continued to poke around and found this:
This is what is considered the “Short Groove” style signal that Econolite replaced the short-lived Long Groove that they only produced for three years. In 1962 this body addressed the leakage issue the old ones were having and what I had stumbled on was the newer signal with the pedestrian inserts. Original glass, reflectors, and wiring was all good in this one so I chose to do it up just like I did the signal head so they would be a set. I had my work cut out cleaning this one as it was gross!
After dealing with the corrosion in the signal head, cleaning this signal and prepping it to be painted was a breeze and came out really nice as well.
I had a choice when doing the wiring, I could either purchase a sequencer to have it run independently from the signal head or, run a harness between the two signals and have them run a traffic pattern in sync with each other. I ultimately chose to get a two channel sequencer and wire it up exactly as I had the signal head. This have me the option to move it around or even separate the signals if I chose to. how it turned out…
The only thing I’ve been unable to find for this signal are the actual visors that belong on it. The design is really cool where the visors are attacked very securely to the sides of the face insert and even slightly angle downward. The signal came out nice even without them but, I was able to find a set of composite visors that were the right size and even if they were not mounted as designed, give the signal a completed look once they were cleaned up and got a refresh coat of paint. Satin black… just like the signal!
So in the end I have one street in an intersection complete. The sequencer working just as well as the signal head, this signal is really unique and fun to watch. I do have a pedestrian push button that can call for the walk signal but, I’m not sure how I want to set it up yet. Eather way, the two are a matching set and represent the beginning of Econolite developing their own signals.