Sunday, August 4, 2019

Amtrak NEC Happenings

Just wanted to provide a quick update on some operations on the Southern NEC.  I previously reported on Amtrak's plans to extend Rule 562 operation southward to BUSH interlocking.  Currently 562 is only in service between BACON and GRACE, but this past month work started at OAK interlocking to both remove the pneumatic point machines and install new signals with 'C' boards.



At this point OAK interlocking only has a single crossover between tracks 4 and 3, creating a combination trailing point ladder when combined with GRACE.  This crossover will be replaced with a new electrically powered concrete model and some other reports hint of a second crossover creating a facing point ladder as well.





The southbound 'C' boards indicate an immediate risk for the 4 automatic signal locations between OAK and BUSH.  I have been able to document those at Perryman and Aberdeen, but the others are less accessible :-(


Finally, Amtrak is adding a new trailing point ladder at PERRY interlocking to carry trains from the Pord Road, across the two through tracks and over to the track 1 siding.  Apparently this is in anticipation of track work on the track 4 siding or switches at PRINCE interlocking.
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5 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 26, 2019 at 5:42 PM

    Are there still PRR Signals left on Former Pennsylvania Railroad Shortlines that Work?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 26, 2019 at 5:43 PM

    Are there still Norfolk and Western Signals that work on Norfolksouthern Shortlines that are not going to be Victims of PTC?

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownAugust 26, 2019 at 5:44 PM

    Are there still Former Baltimore &Ohio Signals that will not be touched by PTC?

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownAugust 26, 2019 at 5:45 PM

    Another Question is Norfolksouthern Trackage between Washington DC and Wilmington,Delaware still PRR Signals controlled?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Erich HouchensSeptember 1, 2019 at 9:59 AM

    Interesting thing about the switches at Perry is these switches are being re-installed where the original PRR switches were located. The two switches from No.4 to No.2 track (CETC 43 and 32 switches) were removed in the late 80's as part of the Amtrak switch rationalization program. I'm pretty sure the original catenary wires were never removed when Amtrak pulled out the switches. These switches will not only help during the MW project on No.4 track north of Perry but will also allow MARC trains to cross back to No.2 track when/if MARC service is extended north to Newark.

    ReplyDelete