Brighton Park Junction

[Anonymous]

I have a question. Why is this busy crossing STILL such an anachronism and NOT a modern interlocked plant?

Because railroading is first and foremost a business, I suspect the answer is money. My guess is the Pennsy [which controlled the junction] had no motivation to upgrade the signaling and control system at Brighton Park because it's Panhandle line was a secondary line and the major beneficiaries would be Pennsy competitors B&O and NYC. PennCentral certainly had no money for an upgrade. Are my guesses and suspicions correct?

But why didn't Conrail and now NS upgrade Brighton Park into an interlocked plant?

[Anonymous]

I heard their will be an overpass built with the High Speed Rail

DOGGY

GO KENTUCKY

[jeaton]

I believe Brighton Park is in the "Chicago Plan" for upgrade or fly-over. I don't remember for sure, but I think it can be found in the Trains article on that subject.

[CShaveRR]

Purely speculation here, but:

To upgrade Brighton Park, you have three alternatives:

1. A manned interlocking

2. An automatic interlocking

3. No interlocking (i.e., a grade separation.

I doubt that any one of the three railroads involved would want to invest in the construction and staffing of an interlocking tower there (even though the shanty is already staffed), plus at least one signal maintainer.

An automatic interlocking would not be desirable, because it would increase the possibility of Amtrak's trains getting stuck by a freight on either of the north-south lines. Conversely, a southbound train stopped by something on the old GM&O might wind up being strung out over the interlocking(s) by the river. You need one operator who can take such things into consideration.

The cost of a grade separation has been prohibitive. The Chicago Plan still needs to be funded. But that's really the best solution. I hope they built the CTA Orange Line high enough...this is going to be the nearest thing Chicago has to a triple crossing!

[Rodney Beck]

That interlocking is a real piece of work. When ever we deliver a train to the CSX we can count on holding the plant is that old. Rodney conductor BNSF