I live in N.E. Illinois.
When I drive to work down Route 41,I parrallel the U.P. Milwaukee sub.
The former CNW "New Line"Sub.
A freight only line from Chicago to Milwaukee.
Lately I've noticed that at least two signals that used to be constantly lit are now always dark.
One is just south of Yorkhouse Rd in Gurnee.
MP 40.77
And the other is the signal at 22nd St(MLK Blvd) and Route 41.MP 34.14
All other signals are lit.
They only show aspect when a train is in the area.
I've noticed this for at least two or three months.
Is "Uncle Pete" switching to approach type signals on the Milwaukee Sub?
Hi, gebass6!
This post is coming from Southern California, so it is difficult to know exactly what is going on between Chicago and Milwaukee.
What exactly is out that way? I mean, are there old, ancient mast target signals? Are they being converted to color lights? A little background would be helpful. UP is kind of in a chaotic state with Positive Train Control implementation, so it is difficult to believe the railroad is converting from lit to approach lit at this time. So, there may be more to what you are seeing.
Take care,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
I would imagine that would be the case.
I don't know if that route is even getting PTC, outside of any commuter zones. It may not meet the threshold for requiring it.
In my own area, they have been doing work to the signal system (working in the signal boxes) for PTC. This has resulted in some signals going back to being constantly lit. I'm sure once everything is working they'll fix the signals back to being approach lit.
Jeff
Jeff, I suspect that the PTC would extend at least as far as Oak Creek on that line, by virtue of the tonnage generated by coal trains (I believe tonnage is one of the bases on which PTC requirement is gauged).
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
CShaveRRJeff, I suspect that the PTC would extend at least as far as Oak Creek on that line, by virtue of the tonnage generated by coal trains (I believe tonnage is one of the bases on which PTC requirement is gauged).
My understanding of PTC required territory is predicated on Passengers and HAZMAT. Tonnage by itself is not a consideration.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD CShaveRR Jeff, I suspect that the PTC would extend at least as far as Oak Creek on that line, by virtue of the tonnage generated by coal trains (I believe tonnage is one of the bases on which PTC requirement is gauged). My understanding of PTC required territory is predicated on Passengers and HAZMAT. Tonnage by itself is not a consideration.
CShaveRR Jeff, I suspect that the PTC would extend at least as far as Oak Creek on that line, by virtue of the tonnage generated by coal trains (I believe tonnage is one of the bases on which PTC requirement is gauged).
Passengers and certain types of hazmat on a regular basis is my understanding.
Thanks, Jeff--you're probably right, as all of this began after my time.
No targets!U.P. took them out a little while after the CNW takeover.
All tri-color type.
Added info:The line from K.O. to Bain is considered yard limits.And is track warrant controlled.
Not the Milwaukee Sub.It's all freight.
Milw Sub coal trains serve Wisconsin Electric Power plants.Coal trains to Oak Creek get off Milw Sub by way of the Lake Sub connection to the Keno Sub.
Two different lines.
Don't know if PTC is being installed on either line.
I wouldn't know what to look for anyway.
gebass6Added info:The line from K.O. to Bain is considered yard limits.And is track warrant controlled.
Dark - Track Warrant territory is also covered in PTC. One doesn't have to have territory that is signalled to have PTC implemented on it.
What line do the Sheboygan Coal Trains use South of Milwaukee?
CMStPnPWhat line do the Sheboygan Coal Trains use South of Milwaukee?
Quite likely the Milw sub.
It connects to the Shoreline sub.
But can they go up the Shoreline to Wiscona?..........I would think they could come and go any way they can.
Adams sub?
Has anyone dealt with the two now dark (approach lit) signals in the original poster’s inquiry?
Here are pics of the two dark signals.
MP34.14 20170313_143635.jpg
And 40.77 20170313_142409.jpg
OK.I don't know how to post a pic on this site!
gebass6 (3-13):
It looks like you are having trouble posting pictures of those two signals.
You need a photo link, i.e., an account with a photo service. I use photobucket.com, download photos to them, and use (paste) the “Direct” link in the TRAINS forum post. (Edit ... Cut the link in you composition, PASTE it in the lower fifth button's pop up, and your editing should have a photo in it.)
Hope to see those photos soon,
K. P. Harrier gebass6 (3-13): It looks like you are having trouble posting pictures of those two signals. You need a photo link, i.e., an account with a photo service. I use photobucket.com, download photos to them, and use (paste) the “Direct” link in the TRAINS forum post. Hope to see those photos soon, K.P.
You need a photo link, i.e., an account with a photo service. I use photobucket.com, download photos to them, and use (paste) the “Direct” link in the TRAINS forum post.
But I can't seem to figure out THIS sites controls!!!!
This forum does not host photos. You need to upload them somewhere else and link them here.
I use: https://postimage.io/
gebass6 (3-13A):
I edited my post as you posted your reply. If you follow those instructions, it should work. Remember, the fifth lower button is the key one (a pop-up will say ‘Insert/edit image”) and paste the “Direct” link in the top screen line ("Source"). When you close the pop-up box, the photo will appear in your TEXT on your editing screen if you’ve done it right.
I’ll be on here for a bit …
Best,
This is what the “Direct” link looks like …
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset-05/_DSC3367-N_zpsqbamtv6p.jpg
… and produces the following if done right on the editing screen:
Above photo is the very recent image of the San Gabriel Trench (CA) construction.
rdamon This forum does not host photos. You need to upload them somewhere else and link them here. I use: https://postimage.io/
That one worked!This pic is MP 40.77
https://s30.postimg.org/lfzh9ghcx/20170313_143635.jpg
Here's the other!MP 34.14
https://s7.postimg.org/l86jzgs0r/20170313_142409.jpg
gebass6 rdamon This forum does not host photos. You need to upload them somewhere else and link them here. I use: https://postimage.io/ OK.I'm trying this right now. https://s30.postimg.org/lfzh9ghcx/20170313_143635.jpg That one worked!This pic is MP 40.77 Here's the other!MP 34.14! https://postimg.org/image/5jy3hq84f/
OK.I'm trying this right now.
Here's the other!MP 34.14!
https://postimg.org/image/5jy3hq84f/
In the 'Post Body' screen (at least for me with FireFox) there are 3 edting tool rows above the actual writing screen. The 3rd row starts with a sissors icon which included 3 actions in it's panel. The next panel contains 3 icons. The first is to put a 'hot link' in your post by pasteing it in the drop down box. The second is to add an actual picture from the link that you insert in the drop down box. The third icon allows you to display a 'hot' YouTube video by pasting the link in the drop down box.
The editing tools on this forum are needlessly complicated.
Save
K. P. Harrier This is what the “Direct” link looks like … http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset-05/_DSC3367-N_zpsqbamtv6p.jpg … and produces the following if done right on the editing screen: Above photo is the very recent image of the San Gabriel Trench (CA) construction.
OK, great photos, gebass6.
Are all the signals on this line color lights, or are some targets? Are they all of the same basic age? Does the line have Positive Train Control (PTC) yet?
Thanks.
K. P. Harrier OK, great photos, gebass6. Are all the signals on this line color lights, or are some targets? Are they all of the same basic age? Does the line have Positive Train Control (PTC) yet? Thanks.
but I'm pretty sure that they are all line color lights.
U.P. started switching them out a while after the merger in '96
As for PTC,I don't know.
It looks like newer heads on older poles.
Is this on the same line?
Union Pacific uses, at least on the western part of its system, PTC antennas (first photo, right high antenna) with wiring that goes into an electrical box. In the second photo below the wires (right) haven’t been hooked up yet and are just haning semi-curled up.
The above photos were taken September 30, 2016 at CP SP812 AZTEC in Arizona on the Sunset Route in CTC territory. Even with just block signals like antennas should be used.
rdamon It looks like newer heads on older poles. Is this on the same line?
I'll have to keep a look out for the PTC anttenas.
Looks like that signal is dark too.
It seems to be a mark of PTC?
gebass6It seems to be a mark of PTC?
There one CP signal on CSX at Utica I can see on a regular basis - and it seems to be lit all of the time.... I don't know if the Chicago Line in NY is on PTC yet, but the signals have all been overhauled, new shelters, antennae, etc.
NYC used approach lighting. I don't see any of the automatics, so I don't know if they are approach lit or not.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Using the history it looks like the signal has been dar for a long time. The tower was added in the last year.
From October 2012
tree68 gebass6 It seems to be a mark of PTC? There one CP signal on CSX at Utica I can see on a regular basis - and it seems to be lit all of the time.... I don't know if the Chicago Line in NY is on PTC yet, but the signals have all been overhauled, new shelters, antennae, etc. NYC used approach lighting. I don't see any of the automatics, so I don't know if they are approach lit or not.
gebass6 It seems to be a mark of PTC?
Approach lighting isn't an indication of PTC. (The distinctive antenna is.) We have been having the opposite experience. Our waysides have been approach lit for many years. Has they have been working on the signal/PTC interfaces, some signals now are constantly on. Others will turn on without anything in the block. They display the correct aspect for the condition of the block. They are just on when normally they would be dark. I imagine that once PTC is operational the signal maintainers will turn their attention to resetting the approach lit mode.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.