With the installation of the restored signal at Ralston, we’re close to finishing this project!
The Ralston signal restoration project was the brainchild of Cascade Rail Foundation (CRF) Vice-
President Mark Borleske. In 2021, Mark became aware of a nearly intact Union Switch & Signal Style H-2 searchlight signal on the trail between Ralston and Marengo. He petitioned Parks for permission to restore the signal and display it at Ralston at the location of the former east siding switch. Parks approved the project, and work began in May 2022.
John Bjorklund photo of the signals at the east end of the Ralston siding. The recently installed signal replaces the one on the left. Photo courtesy of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art.
CRF board member Mike Turcott volunteered to do the restoration work. Jamie Morris of Malden
provided his boom truck to remove the signal, assisted by Dana Davis. Mike transported the signal to his
home near Tenino, WA, where he disassembled, abrasive blasted, primed, and painted the components,
including case, mast, head, brackets, and service ladder. CRF purchased all new hardware and a modern
searchlight controller from WirelessBilly.com. Michael Shank of Grand Rapids, MI generously donated a
US&S SA-2 signal mechanism to replace the one that had “disappeared”. Other missing parts were
purchased from various other sources via a Facebook railroad signal group.
By late 2025, the signal was ready for installation at Ralston. However, the project experienced one final
setback when the replacement concrete base didn’t fit over the mounting rods. The base was poured to
exact standards but didn’t fit because the signal foundation rods at Ralston had shifted over time. Over
the winter, Mike poured another base, this time expanding the bolt holes an additional ½ inch to
accommodate the out-of-alignment rods.
Assisted by Jeff Duval of Ralston and Brian Bothun of Ritzville, the base was installed in Spring 2026 and
the rest of the signal shortly thereafter. To complete the project, the SA-2 mechanism, signal
controller, battery, and solar panel will be installed.
Big thanks to Randy Roth of Ralston for his generous cash donations for this project, and Ray McDonald
for donating use of his truck and trailer to transport the signal from Tenino back to Ralston. And a big
thank you to Washington State Parks and local Ranger Travis Gabriel for their support of this project.
CRF volunteers Dale Anderson, Randy Gust, Jeff Duvall, and Steve Duvall stand beside the newly installed signal. Brian Bothun photo
