Darley Simplex Adjustable Suspended-Type Signal  

MFR:  W. S. Darley
Make:  Adjustable Suspended-Type
Years Made:  1920's - 1930's?
Estimated Year:  1930's 

Lens Size:  8"
Orig City:  Town of Hertford, N.C., USA
Orig Color:  Cast Aluminum
Orig Configuration:  As-Is, 4-Way Cluster 
Orig Visors:  Cutaway, Molded to Body
Orig Lenses: Darley "Frosted" Backs
Orig Reflectors: Spun Aluminum

Current Color:  None
Current Configuration:  Same
Current Visors:  Same
Current Lenses: Same
Current Reflectors: Same

Notes, Commentary, Restoration: 
Obtained directly from the town of Hertford, N.C. is this beautiful 20's-30's vintage signal. There were four of these and the controller for sale, however only this one was obtained. This was likely a cluster signal in the town, though it was known as an "adjustable" suspended-type signal back then. The entire set would have been purchased as a Model D489 for the pricey sum of $272.25 and included the Automatic Simplex Controller and Aluminum Weather-proof Box. Eighty years later, a single signal from the cluster is valued at more than that.

In a single signal Model C280 configuration as shown here it would have went for $80.85 with the mounting bracket on the bottom, intended for mounting to the side of a post, secured with a similar brass/bronze clamp.

Hertford was a Darley town. Apart from a few more modern Sargent-Sowell style beacons the town must have been a sight to behold in its heyday, with several Darley 4-ways and the Darley-Simplex cluster lighting the way through downtown for almost a century. Now, downtown is likely to look like most other towns, standard intersections lined with nondescript 12" poly signals have replaced the distinctive 4-ways.

Little restoration was done to this signal, for there was little to be done. Both front and back plates were removed, and new gaskets, bolts, and washers installed. The bolts were in weathered and poor condition, however the gaskets were still usable and reasonably fresh, save for a missing 12" section. One lamp socket was cracked, this was replaced with a new but identical Leviton pony-cleat porcelain socket. Lenses were not removed, only cleaned in place, the fiber gaskets were intact and left on the lenses. The entire body was rubbed down with a scotch-brite scouring pad, buffing off the visible white layers of aluminum oxidation. There is one small bend in the Green visor, however this was left as-is, for straightening could deform or destroy the visor beyond repair. The bronze clamp was left in its tarnished state with a similar era Crouse-Hinds brass gooseneck was installed on the signal. It was rewired and ready to go.

Photographic Records: 
       
       

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This page was last modified on 11 February 2007.