In PA, for some odd reason, they love installing signals years after the model ends production. For example, Philly has a few older Crouse-Hinds Type M installs, they're all mast-arm installs. The signals themselves were made in the 60s, the mast-arms didn't go up until 1975. Same thing with eagle flatbacks, there are some flatbacks that were installed as late as 1976, although the model discontinued in 1973. By 1976 the Durasig model was already common in other states. PA didn't start installing them until, i'd say 1977.
Sometimes, traffic signal equipment can be considered as new old stock (or simply NOS) if never used previously in service and is discontinued from a manufacturer. New York City, as an example, made that a practice in the late-1960s and early-1970s when it came to the installation of pedestrian signals at newly-constructed signalized intersections. By that time, incandescent units were the norm, but, every now and then, the contractors would throw in several neon units as well that dated back to the 1950s decade.
It is also fairly common to some extent for municipalities to recycle previously used traffic signal equipment.
I believe 3M discontinued its wonderful M-131 in 2007. There are still plenty out there, though, slowly being replaced by McCain's inferior PV signals.
Quote from: index on November 27, 2017, 10:06:21 AM
I believe 3M discontinued its wonderful M-131 in 2007. There are still plenty out there, though, slowly being replaced by McCain's inferior PV signals.
*ShitCain.
Quote from: ColossalBlocks on November 27, 2017, 05:57:36 PM
Quote from: index on November 27, 2017, 10:06:21 AM
I believe 3M discontinued its wonderful M-131 in 2007. There are still plenty out there, though, slowly being replaced by McCain's inferior PV signals.
*ShitCain.
Couldn't agree more, I'm also not a big fan of McCains. I remember having a huge hissy fit when my favorite set of Crouse-Hinds art decos got replaced by a set of McCains. (They were in chester PA)
What makes McCains so bad?
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 21, 2018, 02:19:36 AM
What makes McCains so bad?
They're pretty plain looking and tend to be used by municipalities to replace older set-ups (mostly because they're one of the cheaper brands), and their Aluminum signals are known for having the paint chip off of them pretty bad (especially the older ones).
I personally don't mind them and their poly signals are actually some of the strongest ones on the market currently.
What does a McCain look like?
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 21, 2018, 02:31:51 AM
What does a McCain look like?
Somewhat generic looking, but not too bad, IMO:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/800/40225197094_5f07b9c607_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDEW)McCain Traffic Lights (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDEW) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/808/40933802591_2db657f8d9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25nbrp6)McCain Traffic Lights (https://flic.kr/p/25nbrp6) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/800/27062338228_95679b76f8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hepyjq)McCain Beacons (https://flic.kr/p/Hepyjq) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/40225196914_f78fbd1ba2_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDBQ)McCain Traffic Light (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDBQ) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
Midwest Signal Co. (whom McCain bought-out in the 80s and started producing their signals under the McCain name), Singer, and modern Econolite signals all use the same general body shape as McCain signals, only with slight variations. McCain has also changed the logo, size of the logo, and placement of the logo on their signals over the years.
McCain Programmable Visibility Signals (McCain PV Signals) look like a 3M signal, except they have a different look to the very back of the signal and use round lenses and visors as these parts are re-used McCain parts (the backs use 8 inch McCain housings while the doors and visors are standard 12 inch McCain doors and visors, which is why the lenses on these are round rather than square):
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15286695260_ef0df2634c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/phQiVo)McCain PV signals (https://flic.kr/p/phQiVo) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15286774028_5367de0a34_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/phQHks)McCain PV signals (https://flic.kr/p/phQHks) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15473682346_ff0e8a39a0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pzmEEE)McCain PV Signal (https://flic.kr/p/pzmEEE) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15473687186_d37fb361da_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pzmG77)McCain PV Signals (https://flic.kr/p/pzmG77) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15310168868_7cec6d502f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pjUBNL)McCain PV Signals (https://flic.kr/p/pjUBNL) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
Quote from: freebrickproductions on March 21, 2018, 02:55:44 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 21, 2018, 02:31:51 AM
What does a McCain look like?
Somewhat generic looking, but not too bad, IMO:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/800/40225197094_5f07b9c607_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDEW)McCain Traffic Lights (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDEW) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/808/40933802591_2db657f8d9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25nbrp6)McCain Traffic Lights (https://flic.kr/p/25nbrp6) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/800/27062338228_95679b76f8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Hepyjq)McCain Beacons (https://flic.kr/p/Hepyjq) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/40225196914_f78fbd1ba2_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDBQ)McCain Traffic Light (https://flic.kr/p/24hyDBQ) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
Midwest Signal Co. (whom McCain bought-out in the 80s and started producing their signals under the McCain name), Singer, and modern Econolite signals all use the same general body shape as McCain signals, only with slight variations. McCain has also changed the logo, size of the logo, and placement of the logo on their signals over the years.
McCain Programmable Visibility Signals (McCain PV Signals) look like a 3M signal, except they have a different look to the very back of the signal and use round lenses and visors as these parts are re-used McCain parts (the backs use 8 inch McCain housings while the doors and visors are standard 12 inch McCain doors and visors, which is why the lenses on these are round rather than square):
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15286695260_ef0df2634c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/phQiVo)McCain PV signals (https://flic.kr/p/phQiVo) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15286774028_5367de0a34_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/phQHks)McCain PV signals (https://flic.kr/p/phQHks) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2945/15473682346_ff0e8a39a0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pzmEEE)McCain PV Signal (https://flic.kr/p/pzmEEE) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15473687186_d37fb361da_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pzmG77)McCain PV Signals (https://flic.kr/p/pzmG77) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15310168868_7cec6d502f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pjUBNL)McCain PV Signals (https://flic.kr/p/pjUBNL) by freebrickproductions (https://www.flickr.com/photos/96431468@N06/), on Flickr
I like McCain PV signals, but normal McCains are generic. Plus, your area doesn't abuse them