Saturday, July 18, 2020
Pan Am/Guilford Sale Threatens Heritage Signaling
In case you haven't heard, the Guilford Rail System, sometimes known as Pan Am Railways is putting itself up for sale. Owned by an eccentric businessman with an unhealthy obsession with Pan Am World Airlines, the Guilford is also known for its aggressive reluctance to spend money, turning it into a preserve of vintage searchlight signals and relay based CTC systems. Although the Boston to New York main line was partly sold to NS a few years ago and Darth Vader signals have been appearing here and there, the Guilford still uses such heritage practices such as double green clear, offset intermediate heads and bracket masts.
It is so far unclear who will be looking to purchase the Guilford Rail System, NS is unlikely to give up its route into the Bostom market, but the rest of the system relies on the lower costs and flexibility of a regional railroad. G&W is one obvious choice and they generally take a hands off approach to signaling, but there could be anti-trust concerns given its recent purchases of the P&W and New England Central. Either way, just another reason to get out and get your signal photos while you can.
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This isn't the only pending loss of classic signals in the Boston area. The MBTA's installation of PTC (and with it, cab signalling) is resulting in the removal of some of the last NYC-era GRS small-target searchlight ABS signals between Boston and Framingham, MA on the old B&A. These had been left in place since that section of the line was purchased by the Turnpike Authority from the NYC back in the 1950's. With cab signalling now being added as part of PTC, the old signals are disappearing fast.
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