It's been over a year since my
last Reading and Northern signaling project report. Since that time Rule 261 CTC is in effect from just north of the North Reading yard at RICK to Port Clinton and then again from north of the Port Clinton yard complex at CP-CLINT possibly all the way to the Lehigh Junction at COAL. A lot of this was indicated in the Winter 2018/2019 report, but one new development is a new interlocking at the MP 78.5 West Hamburg location has been named "MULLER" after Reading and Northern owner Andy Muller.
Although there has been some modern style hardware used in the overall project, at MULLER the R&N signal department managed to source some period correct GRS Model G tri-light heads for the northbound mast, possibly from the recent Reading area signal replacements.
The R&N also dug up another US&S H-style
bracket mast that was popular with the Reading. This would be their second bracket mast with
the first being erected at Tamaqua in 2017. Although neither use Reading style signal heads (specifically US&S style TRs), I was told that this was original Reading hardware unearthed on R&N property or obtained from NS.
However the second H bracket appears to have been in a less complete
state than the Tamaqua bracket as more of the structure appeared to be
modern replacements including all of the base. Hats off to the R&N
staff for rebuilding this rare style of mast when a replacement could
have probably been purchased for less money.
You can see how the restored bracket compares with an abandoned example out of service example on the defunct Reading Newtown Branch.
Its confirmed. A high percentage of the equipment, even the interlocking logic is being bought from NS after being replaced for PTC. It's how they are able to afford such a large CTC expansion. The largest outlay is switch machines. Followed by a few new heads.
ReplyDeleteI heard something about those SafeTran square modules coming from METRA. Not like that's a big deal or anything.
DeleteAnd they have kept at it.
ReplyDeleteWitness CP Coal now giving an approach signal, into an stop and proceed at a new automatic signal at 127N. Which also has a dual head to protect south bounds approaching CP COAL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR3RjJbNNDc
R&N had to use a single pole here because of NS Main track #2.
So it looks like fully 261 operation from CP-INDEPENDENCE to CP-COAL is in effect on the R&N Main 1. Definitely was easy as you only needed one intermediate between Coal and Independence anyway
That section of track is weird. I can't think of another former double track section where one of the two mains was sold.
Not sure what caused the red. Train stops and turns around at an unsignaled siding on a former pocket between the two mains. But I am sure that there was something parked up near Independence.
No CTC on the new bridge yet, but I am told it's coming. That one will be a rather complex job I am told.
R&N completely intends to close the remaining gaps on the route between Reading and the former D&H connection.
R&N will likely never restore signaling between Coal and Lehighton. NS flipped the switch there anyway to prevent diverging moves between the two NS owned tracks.
Do you know what they did to CP-DUPONT? 2019 street view has it looking mostly intact.
DeleteCP-Dupont is intact and has been expanded with a new crossover so that now there a double crossover. This lets R&N use the #2 main much easier.
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