A mechanical crossing signal that uses a motorized, swinging disc with a red light in the center to warn motorists of an approaching train. The swinging motion mimics a flagman waving a lantern. Once common across North America, these signals have been almost entirely replaced by flashing red lights and drop gates due to visibility and maintenance standards.
Heard on the job
The foamers are all out taking pictures of that old wigwag on the branch line before the signal maintainers rip it out next week.
Also heard as
- magnetic flagman