I've mentioned this phenomena before, but in this day and age when a Class 1 appears to have "forgotten" about some bit of classic signaling its usually because they intend to sell the line or they are planning something much more drastic than a re-signaling project. Usually this is complete signal removal (I'm looking at you Buffalo Line), but in the case of the largely PRR signaled NS Fort Wayne Line west of Alliance, NS apparently had in mind a radical single tracking project.
Currently the Fort Wayne Line is double track from the Cleveland Line split at CP-ALLIANCE (MP 82) to CP-MACE (MP 110), CP-ORR (MP 124) to CP-BIG RUN (MP 138) and CP-MOHICAN (Mp 157) to Crestline (MP 188). The line has always been a step child after lost traffic was diverted up the Cleveland Line to the Chicago Line. I would not be surprised if the line had managed to stay PTC exempt due to light traffic. The current Conrail era CTC signaling dates from the late-1980's and matches that installed on the former PRR Middle Division.
In 2022 NS released the following single tracking plan that would result in the likely retirement of all remaining PRR position lights on the route and also bring the curtain down on the last major instance of PRR signaling on NS.
Retirement of selected double main line track operations into single signaled bi-directional track (Rule 261).
Approximant limits of project will be PC 84.8 to PC 188.3 on the Fort Wayne
line of the Pittsburgh division.
Retire one main track at mile posts PC 84.8-96.7, 157.3-160.1, 161.9-169.4,
178.0-188.3. Change method of operation at mile post limits of 160.1-161.9,
175.1-178.0 to Non Controlled Track.
The good news is that as of 2022 no movement has been made on activating this plan and the recent manpower and capacity problems might cause some change of heart. Regardless, get out to Ohio and get your photos ASAP.
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