Modern Technology for a Steam Railroad

No-right-turn signal lights up alongside a railroad crossing in Durango, Colorado

A right turn from northbound US 550 at this intersection in Durango, Colorado takes you across the tracks for the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, where steam trains still run. But the technology for this signal is modern: when the crossing gates are down, the no-right-turn sign on this signal mast lights up.

Believe it or not, this photograph was taken during a late May afternoon in 2008. A freakish cold weather system had moved across the area, bringing dark clouds and snow to the region.