PTC Updates

Because Amtrak had enabled the ACSES PTC system for all of its trains operating on the NEC and Harrisburg line and SEPTA is running its ACSES implementation on the Warminster I figured I'd provide some updates.  I was also spurred on by getting some good photos of the new cab display units for both Amtrak and SEPTA and a conversation I had with a member of the PTC implementation team for LIRR and MNRR.

Now this was sort of covered in my post on knowing your cab signal displays, but this image has a bit more detail.  First thing I notice is that this very similar in appearance to the ITCS CDU used out on the Michigan Line, except there is the upper portion displaying the cab signal indication.  Below that is a single Max Authorized Speed readout, which I assume displays whatever is lower between the cab signal and ACSES, but I can't be sure about that.  Below that is a time to penalty countdown display.  There is a bit of debate about how the PTC displays should warm the engineer that a penalty is about to occur and it appears that Amtrak has opted for TTP both with ITCS and ACSES.  Again, not sure if it also counts down to a cab signal related penalty.  Next to the TTP display there is an indication for the ACSES enforced Clear to Next Interlocking signal that is still needed in case of cab signal failure and there is also a warning about invalid TSR data for when data radios are having problems. Next we see the various cut-in/cut-out and error lights and finally we see a message display that might not be used yet as the rulebook makes no mention of ACSES messages like it does ITCS messages.

The new SEPTA CDU again begins with a cab signal section with a pair of multi-color LED lamps to display the signal.  As we can see here SEPTA chose R/Y instead of R/L for Restricting.  Below that we see the same MAS display, which I have to assume switches between ATC and PTC (whichever is lower) as indicated by the adjacent lamps.  Below that is the cab speedometer showing the train's actual speed.  Instead of a TTP countdown, only an overspeed lamp is provided.  Not sure what the criteria for avoiding a penalty is.  Below that things become familiar again with cut-in/cut-out and error lights followed by a message display.  At the bottom is a key switch for conducting ATC and PTC tests.

Regarding performance issues I have learned that it is possible to set the PTC enforced speeds higher than what appears in the timetable if the timetable speeds are based on passenger comfort, wear and tear, etc.  This would allow the engineer additional wiggle room without risking any sort of derailment.  However since all the CDU's show MAS and not some enforcement speed it would be difficult to implement this without causing confusion.  The system would need to be changed to that the system was aware of both a timetable speed to display and an enforcement speed at which a penalty application would be initiated.

The biggest problem is the the lack of precision in the position stop function.  Currently a train may be stopped up to 100 feet + 10% of the distance since the last transponder.   This can extend up to 1000 feet from a stop signal and is most acutely felt when trains are attempting to make station stops where a stop signal is at the end of the platform.  Previously Amtrak allowed for use of the stop release button to allow trains to platform properly, but this is no longer the case.  commuter railroads will be most effected and although placement of additional transponders can help, the 100 foot buffer will still cause shortfalls.  Apparently the system has to allow for an engineer pegging the controller right up against a stop signal which could move the train past before the brakes could stop it.  Of course a proper risk assessment would label the risk of such an event as fanciful, but I don't think anyone is conducting proper risk assessments here.

The one silver lining is that the positive stop point does not have to be at the Stop signal, but at the fouling point of the first switch, which can restore some semblance of normalcy.   The best solution would be to allow some sort of virtual swinging overlap that can dynamically change the positive stop target based on other lined routes through the interlocking.

Anyway that's all I have for now.   Let's hope that if the operational impact is significant enough some more modifications will be added.  It will also be interesting to see how flexible the freight railroads are.

Fairwell Fairfield Cantilever

Well it's not down yet, but the on again/off again replacement of B&O CPLs between Cincinatti and Hamilton, OH is on again as evidence of new signal structures are in place.  That this signal lasted so long is somewhat of a surprise as a more modern adjacent CPL location was replaced some years ago. I recommend that anyone in the area make a pilgrimage and capture it before it is gone.  The signal is not only interesting as a B&O CPL cantilever, but also because all 4 signals have a 10 o'clock orbital.

Bracketology

The bracket mast is another one of those signaling items that appear in North America, but few other places.  While similar to the British style junction signal with multiple signals applying to a single track to indicate route, the multiple signals on a North American bracket mast each refer to a different track.

What drove the use of bracket signals in North America was the combination of needing right handed placement due to the limited view ahead from steam locomotives, the need to accommodate multiple tracks in the same direction and the desire to save money.  To put it more simply, when the PRR needed to install new signals on a 4-track main line back in the 1870's it could either build costly signal bridges or put up one single bracket signal that could apply to both tracks.  It would have another resurgence with the advent of CTC where once again adjacent tracks could have traffic moving in the same direction.

The bracket mast's downfall was due to a number of reasons,  The ICC relaxed the rule on left mounted signals, railroads reduced the number of 3+ track main lines and double stack trains required bracket type signals to be mounted even higher so that they could still be sighted over 20 feet of containers.   I  just wanted to take the time to go over some of the basic types of bracket mast and the context in which they appear.

The earliest (steel) bracket masts used lattice steel uprights like this one seen at BRYN MAWR interlocking on the PRR Main Line.  It is worth pointing out that brackets are often utilized as glorified masts when only one signal is fitted.

The most common type of bracket mast is what I like to call the Y style due to the large central support and twin arms that hold up the individual signal masts.

Brackets are known for their generous platforms that support the C&S workers below each signal head.

Y brackets can be upgraded with new signals such as these 1980's vintage US&S modular traffic lights.

The square bracket was made by US&S and was only seen on a few railroads such as the Reading.  It featured signal supports with two horizontal connections to the central mast.  Above we see an older lattice version and a newer steel pipe version.

The Nickel Plate used a variation of the square bracket that featured square signal supports that extended below the platform, however as you can see it is still a modified Y bracket.

Y brackets eventually evolved into this modern aluminum design popular on the former NY Central parts of Conrail.  These three headed signals illustrate the extreme heights that bracket masts could reach which may not have been popular with maintainers.

Of course bracket masts can come in all levels of complexity.  This modern Nickel Plate example (same as the Conrail one above) sports only a single searchlight head per signal.

Bracket masts can also be combined with virtual headed signals as seen here on the former MILW route in Wisconsin displaying Diverging Clear.

Here we see perhaps the ultimate Y bracket design up in Canada with a box steel support.

 

 Don't think we're done saving money yet because the bracket underwent another letter revolution with the T type bracket seen here in service with NJ Transit.  These consisted of one aluminum tube resting perpendicular across a vertical support tube.

This type of  T bracket, seen here on a former C&O line, but also popular with Conrail, featured a slightly more elaborate attachment.  Note the contrast between the "old" elephant ear signals and the modern tubular masts.

Today the only railroads to still regularly install bracket masts are the MBTA and the former Guilford Rail System in New Englande.  Seen above is a brand new Y type with Darth Vader LED signals.  The MBTA still installs target type color light signals.

When Conrail implemented double stacks on its Chicago Line in the early 90's, it hit upon the clever idea of turning one of the two signals on each bracket to convert them into glorified masts.  This eliminated the need to either install new mast signals or raise the height of the bracket signals above the level of the double stacked containers.

Of course no discussion of brackets would be complete without the poor man's bracket, which consists of two masts set side by side.  This was mostly a Seaboard innovation in the southern part of its territory.

Curtain Closes on the B&O

Before I get to the rest of the news it is my sad duty to report that the last B&O CPLs on the Capitol Limited route at MEXICO and WEST HUMP in Cumberland, MD have fallen to the Darth Vader plague.  Fortunately there was are no shortage of photos.  Where will the railfan go?  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

In other news the former PRR signal bridge at the SA drawbridge has also been taken out of service.

I also noticed that the low cost "virtual head" signals on the old MILW main are also getting replaced with standard Darths.  Again, aren't companies supposed to save money?  Not sure how I personally feel since those virtual head signals aren't much to look at, but I guess they are different.

Speaking of different, I caught this photo showing either CN or CP installing LED searchlights to replace traditional searchlights in the Toronto area.  I wish this would take off because these are the sorts of signals railroads should be embracing.

Enough with the good news, I also learned that the former Conrail signals on the Trenton Line between TRENT and Bound Brook are getting replaced.  I have to assume CP-WING is in the crosshairs as well.  Looks like it might be time for a road trip.

The searchlight sub-species of C&O signal in Michigan are also nearing their end as seen hear in Romulus.  Really...the Seaboard System has absolutely no business being in Michigan.

Although its not like being in Florida makes and difference. These classic Seaboard elephant eats with (P) boards are also slated for the bin.

Well that's it for this month.  At least I was able to snap the streak of news posts without at least one line item of positive news!