What was the Billups Neon Crossing Signal?
Q: What was the Billups Neon Crossing Signal?
A: The Billups Neon Crossing Signal was a special signal to warn car and truck drivers that a train was coming. It was placed at a dangerous Illinois Central railroad crossing on Mississippi State Route 7 in Grenada, Mississippi.
Q: Who invented the Billups Neon Crossing Signal?
A: The Billups Neon Crossing Signal was invented by Alonzo Billups in the mid-1930s.
Q: Why did Mr. Billups invent this signal?
A: Mr. Billups and the railroad were worried; the crossing had many accidents between trains and motor vehicles, so he wanted drivers who were going to cross the tracks to know that a train was coming and he wanted to do it in a very big way.
Q: What did the signal look like?
A: The signal was built like a giant steel gantry which went up and over the entire highway, with flashing red lights similar to those used today topping giant neon signs on either side of the big gantry. The signs lit up with words "Stop-DEATH-Stop" along with a neon skull and crossbones, as well as flashing neon arrows pointing toward the train to tell drivers which way it was coming.
Q: How did this signal warn drivers of an incoming train?
A: In addition to its visual warnings, this signal also used sound - instead of electric or electronic bells used now, it used a very loud air raid siren when warning drivers of an incoming train.
Q: Why wasn't this type of signal ever built again after WWII started?
A: After World War II started, neon became hard to get for these signals, as well as having electrical problems such as often having its air raid siren go off even if no train was coming and not shutting off until repair crews came from the railroad company itself. Therefore no more of these special signals were ever built after WWII began.
Q: How long did this particular crossing signal last before being taken down? A: This particular crossing signal lasted less than twenty years before being taken down after WWII began due to lack of materials needed for production and electrical issues with its air raid siren system
