Finding Signal 4220

Okay, so my first fanfiction actually has some real-life components. No, not that I "saved" someone from getting hit by a train (though the stories of several Soshies in the seaside town of San Clemente would say otherwise), or that I ever witnessed such a feat, but rather in setting.

Signal 4220 exists. It exists in several fragments, but it exists nonetheless.

First off, there's the two-tier approach signal combination. On the Surf Line (ex-ATSF 4th District) Every interval signal before a crossover is a two-tier approach signal--green-over-red if the switch at the next signal is lined for the straightaway, yellow-over-yellow if the switch is set for the diverging line.

Second of all, it is located on a single-track line. VERY FEW INTERVAL SIGNALS ON THE SURF LINE FIT THIS CRITERIA, as the line is comprised of many short single-track segments nowadays, since Coaster started its siding extension program. The few that do are located in South Orange County and Central San Diego County--their numbers are 2011/2012 (Beach Road), 2061/2062 (Califia), 2151/2152 (Near the I-5 Overpass in Camp Pendelton) and 2361/2362 (Leucadia).

However, there are several areas which were historically single-track in Irvine, which also resemble the crossing's surroundings. Among these are interval 179 (Harvard Road) and interval 183 (Sand Canyon Boulevard). However, by the time I was able to travel on my own this stretch was double-tracked.

Also of note--4220 is a reconfiguration of the double of 2011--the northbound approach signal at Beach Road (2*2011 = 4022, switch the second "2" with the "0" to get 4220). Many of my early railfanning videos (and many of my later "catches" as well) were taken at this crossing. Anyone who has ever railfanned with me has probably been to this crossing at least once.

A final fact worth mentioning: The actual "signals" on #4220, like all the other railroad signals in my MLP railway headcanon (The Equestrian Government Railways), are Upper-Quadrant Semaphores: these are historic signals from the steam era. Signal 2011, is a modern "Stacked Colorlight" which is several generations removed from the historic semaphores. However, several semaphores are preserved (albeit inoperable) at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California.