2020 A-Line Trip Report

So I recently had the opportunity to ride Amtrak's Palmetto for almost its entire run to Savannah which would be my first trip since 2018 between DC and Selma and my first time ever south of Selma.  Unfortunately the placement of the baggage car on the rear of the train prevented me from taking a proper survey, but I was able to observe the few remaining bits of interesting signal kit that do survive and because that set is so limited, I can pretty much list them all here with both new and archive material.

Kicking things off the RF&P vintage US&S N-3 intermediate signals are still in place between Spotsylvania and Doswell.  They may have some Darth Vader head mods for 4-block signaling, however the old school 90's hardware is clinging to life.

Speaking of Doswell, the US&S large target bracket mast is still in service for southbound trains.

In case you were wondering, the RF&P FB, MD, HN and GN towers are also still standing.

The next classic signals, again, slightly modified, can be found at CHARLIE BAKER interlocking in Rocky Mount, NC.

On the South End Sub between Rockey Mount and Fayetteville, there are a number of 90's vintage transitional signals that use the large targets and painted mast structures with modular or Safetran hardware.  However in places the integrated hut-masts are being replaced with more traditional single purpose equipment so these might soon be disappearing.

At the Wilson diamond south of Wilson, NC, I spotted this ACL survivor facing the intersecting NS line.

At FLORANCE interlocking in Florance, SC there are some more 90's vintage, Seaboard style US&S large target signals.

File Photo

Finally in Drayton Hall, SC, the drawbridge over the Ashley River is protected by Stop and Check signals in the traditional manner, even if those signals were changed during the recent re-signaling process.

All in all, its not much, but its something.  If you are in the vicinity of any of these signal locations, make sure you pop by for some photos.

God Bless the Guilford - Part 2

Back in Part 1 I used the example of the new Wachusett MBTA station to highlight how the Guilford Rail System was bucking the trend of sterile Darth Vader signals with not only a commitment to target style tri-lights, but also oddities like bracket masts and doll arms.  Well, a few additional examples from their Freight Main Line have tumbled my way.

First we have this new bracket mast near Cumbermand Center, Maine and not only is it a bracket mast, but it also shows us that the Guilford is still employing the antiquated Double Green Clear signal aspect from the old Boston and Main days!

Although unfortunately not target signals, the nearby CPF-185 is also sporting a new cantilever/bracket hybrid for movements off the Brunswick Branch (now used by Downeaster trains).

Speaking of the Downeaster, check out this new doll arm equipped bracket mast protecting a crossover just east of the Lawrence Station on the MBTA Haverhill line.  Not exactly a Guilford  purchase, but don't think that they probably don't have at least a little input.

Well that's it for now.  Hopefully we will see more wacky stuff like this in the future, as opposed to NS style Darths and cantilevers.

QUEENS Tower Closes

At 11:38pn on January 10th, 2020, the Long Island Railroad's QUEENS tower was closed with control passing to the dispatch office at Jamaica. This is the first expansion of the Jamaica dispatch office's control beyond the Port Washington Branch and the Jamaica Terminal.  QUEENS tower was built in 1924 in the style of other towers on the main line like DUNTON, JAY and HALL.

QUEENS interlocking had actually been re-signaling in the 2008 time period with the Model 14 and NX panel being replaced by a VDU system, however the LIRR had a commitment to the quality of service provided by local tower operators and the tower remained manned.

Old Model 14 machine for the local 4-track crossovers

Old N-X panel for the adjacent high speed equilateral turnouts.

While not much will change from the outside, this is likely the next step in the LIRR's change to a more Metro-North style of operation with reduced aspect dwarf signals and centralized dispatch from a single location.

Please look out for a more in depth article on the history and operation of QUEENS tower as I have a good collection of both interior and exterior photos.

New New Searchlights at Chicago Union

Amtrak's Chicago Union Station has been a haven for oddball signaling.  It's new stuff, from about 2005, consists of tri-color LED searchlights (a rarity in North America).  It's "old" stuff dates from the late 80's and consists of  US&S style TR tri-lights,  B&O CPL dwarfs and a few scattered GRS SA searchlights.  While many of the CPLs have since been replaced, the other oddball signals have hung on, that is until recently when I noticed that Amtrak appears to be standardizing on the LED searchlights in a slow, but now more steady re-signaling operation.

To begin with the combination large target US&S NR's and LED searchlights on the bracket at 21ST ST have been replaced by small target LED searchlights.

Before

After

 

Next, the 3N and 4N TR trilight signals on the northbound signal bridge for CP-ROOSEVELT have also been given the boot for small target LED's (previously many of these signals were modified with a small target LED lower head).

After

Lastly the two remaining large target searchlight signals mounted on the B&OCT viaduct as CP-LUMBER  4S and 5S have also been replaced by small target LEDs.

Before

 

After

Anyway, just a heads up for anyone passing through Chicago Union Station.  Make sure you get your photos in because there are some a-dooings a-transpiring.