New Crossing Lights and Bells on Saunders - 1944

This October 5, 1944 newspaper item describes a new warning system for the railroad crossing on Saunders Ave. The alarm system of flashing lights and bells replaced manually operated gates at the crossing.

There was a watchman's building at the crossing that provided the center of operations for the night watchman. He was conveniently located to manually lower crossing gates as each train approached the crossing. This new system automated his work, but replaced the gate with flashing lights and bells.

Just fine for almost 13 years. On November 11, 1957 there was a fatal accident that led to the return of crossing gates. 

Eighty-year old Sutton businessman Henry Vauck and his 73-year old wife, Alice (Oakley) Vauck were killed when hit by a train as they cross the Burlington tracks on Saunders Ave. 

I was a freshman in high school but as I recall the story as it lived in our family folklore (Alice was my mother's first cousin) Henry and Alice were traveling north and had stopped at the crossing for an east-bound train. There was a line of box cars parked on the siding blocking the view to the east.

When the end of the east-bound train passed through the crossing, Henry's view to the east was blocked and he pulled out onto the tracks as a west-bound train approached the crossing and slammed into their car killing Henry and Alice.

The merit of the physical crossing gates was fully validated and new gates were later installed with an automated control system.

Being naturally suspicious of my memory, I solicit additional memories and information about the crossing warning systems over time and of the Vauck accident.