SEPTA Ersatz PRR Pedestal Signals

The PRR "Pedestal" signal was actually invented for the Philadelphia Suburban Station approach viaduct in 1927.  Until that time the PRR only had high signals and dwarf signals for low speed operations.  The underground station and its approaches needed a high signal that could fit in the restricted clearances of BROAD interlocking.  Thus, the Pedestal signal was born with two PRR dwarf units stacked on top of eachother much in the same fashion as two searchlight units being stacked.

 As you can see the Pedestal has the appearance of a single cast unit with access plates for each signal head and a junction box.  However many of the signals in the SEPTA BROAD interlocking complex have a slightly different design that appear to be two dwarfs welded into a single assemble with no junction box.  Now I don't know if these are 1927 prototypes or something SEPTA bodged together in the 1980's BROAD re-signaling project that retired the Model 14 machine (I suspect the later)

Anyway, it looks like SEPTA is at it again with an ersatz Pedestal signal for no other reason than new Pedestal signals are no longer available in their original configuration.  I can't say if the job was a custom commission or something from the catalogue, but SEPTA purchased some rather boxy PRR Pedestal substitutes for some of the automatic signals on the Suburban Station ramp.

While similar the differences are quickly apparent.  The entire backing has depth, instead of just acting as a mounting point for two PL dwarfs and a junction box. 

Lamps are of course lunar LEDs and the manufacturer is L&W, a small time signal outfit I have encountered before with LED searchlights. 

Here you can see how they compare with an "original". 

And a fiew from the side showing off the depth.

As cheap as these new signals look, I have to commend SEPTA for taking the time to replace like with like, instead of starting on a color light campaign or just going to Rule 562 as they have most other places on their system.  Similar choices were made with replacement amber PL high signals at ZOO and ARSENAL.