by justalurker66
JLJ061 wrote:Was out that way yesterday to try and document the wire crews working, but got washed out by the rain instead.Saturday was a very wet day. There were breaks in the rain but I noticed water drops on the lens in some of my pictures (which is annoying).
The best part was that they left the catenary vehicle at the Beverly Shores platform overnight. If anyone wanted to get up close and personal it was a perfect opportunity (better than a few weeks ago when it passed Beverly Shores and one had to take pictures as it moved). Not too personal, of course - the cameras at the platform would help protect the train from the crazies. But being able to walk next to it for as long as one wanted was good.
JLJ061 wrote:I did see the new signals put up at Carroll Ave and the CSS/NICD diamond, any idea how long until they're in service?Did you notice how skinny the top light of the WB signal is?
I expect the signals won't be working until fall but I wouldn't mind being wrong. Putting them into service changes the rule book - taking Shops out of the unsignalled yard category and making the track through CTC. While it was announced that CTC to Birchim was going to be in place last fall, I expect that the entire line to Grandview will become CTC at the same time - and the ETT will change once for the next 28 miles instead of needing multiple changes in the next year.
There is still plenty to do at Carroll Ave ... one odd signal base has been installed on the north side of the mainline across from the platform. It is possible that this will be a "wrong side" signal for eastbound trains or an oddball second westbound CTC signal. There is a base for a dwarf signal on the freight track by the diesel shops which could be a "wrong side" signal for eastbound freights on the track north of the main. I didn't see any signal bases for the shops track connecting to the main (westbound) ... and the rails need to be cut at most of the signal locations to divide where trains are detected. Plenty to do.
The signals at the eastbound end of the car yard tracks were completed a few weeks ago, along with signals for the dock track. Personally I'd place the new EB signal leaving shops up near the platform (between the "South Bend Trains Stop Here" sign and the west end of the dock track). That would place a WB CTC signal at a good place to stop trains before entering the platform and allow for dwarfs to control the westbound exit from the yard tracks. This is west of the location of the old eastbound ABS signal before the main was moved one track south and the first ABS EB was moved to the far east end of shops. (That old EB ABS start signal was just west of Karwick Rd on what is now CY-0.)
CTCRailFan#1 wrote:Was out on the east end of the CTC project this weekend despite the rain and there was a lot of work going on. The contractor removed the existing crossing house from Walnut Rd. and put the new house and flashers into service. Additional the existing signal west of the road crossing was retired and a new signal was put into service. (The NS was also out with ballast regualtors and track crews on the track running parallel to the NICTD line, it appears they were re-surfacing grade crossings through the area.It is good to see something going on to the east of MC. I noticed some signal work in Michigan City (Vail St) where it appears gates and a cantilever signal will be installed but I didn't look east of MC on the way home this weekend (I looked a week ago and saw no changes).
The contractor working on the CTC system also commissioned the new crossing house and flashers at the 425E grade crossing.
Actually placing the new Walnut Rd signal into service is good. Did you see the number on it? Is it still 120 WB? The last time I went over that crossing nothing had changed. It looks like I need to make a quick trip over to see what else I've missed. (New signal in Hudson Lake active? Signal at New Carlisle substation removed? Crossing signals at Smilax, Tulip, Sage, Quince, Pear in service? Any other new signals in use? Any work at Grandview?)
It is good to see 425E finally in service. Did 500E still have that one crossing signal left to replace?
Seeing work resume east of Michigan City is good. With the emphasis moved to Carroll Ave the track east almost seemed ignored.