Saturday, November 11, 2023

The Ultimate Cutover - SEPTA 90TH ST JCT SOUTH

Typically when one discusses a signal cutover one is cutting new signal logic over to control new or existing signals or interlocking appliances. Sometimes one will cut new signals or interlocking appliances into existing signal logic. However in 2014 when SEPTA wanted to relocate 90TH ST JCT SOUTH interlocking 2000 feet to the north to expand a Conrail SAO industrial siding they took things a step further and relocated the entire signaling bungalow.

Above is a street view of the original location in 2014. Below is the new location in 2015. SEPTA didn't even bother to clean the graffiti off the relay hut.

Part of the penny pinching shown here is due to 90TH ST JCT SOUTH being solely the domain of Conrail freight movements before they hit the SEPTA Airport Line at 90TH ST JCT NORTH. Without a Federal or State grant to pay for the capital improvement, there was no incentive to pad things out and create more jobs and with traffic being pretty minimal there wasn't a cost incentive to minimize down time due to testing. This just goes to show when the costs align, railroads will save money on signaling.

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