BNSF going dark in Oklahoma?

[Anonymous]

I frequently travel on US 75 south from Tulsa. Between Okmulgee and Henryetta the highway parallels the BNSF that runs between Tulsa and Dallas. The line is well maintained and a train can usually be spotted on this section. On a return trip after Christmas I noticed that all of the three light signal lights were dark and turned sideways indication that they are out of service. What is BNSF doing? Are they making this line dark or installing a new system of signals?

*** Watkins

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mark for the info on the status. Part of this line has been sold to Dallas Area Rapid Transit. DART owns from Irving junction (10 miles from Dallas) to north of Carrolton TX (10 miles). DART, along with the Fort Worth Transit Agency, the T, also own the former Rock Island line between Dallas and Fort Worth on which the Trinity Railway Express runs. BNSF has trackage rights from Irving to both Dallas and Fort Worth on the TRE corridor.

*** Watkins, former DART board member

[zardoz]

Regarding this practice (of removing signals).

What are the advantages of removing a working signal system? Even if there is only a few trains per day, the signals would seem to be good protection against broken rails, switches not properly lined, equipment fouling the main track, etc.

I can understand removing the system if there is a major problem (like on the CNW track from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, the signals were removed after an ice storm brought down almost the entire signal system, and there were only 4 trains per day). But if the system still works, why remove it? Maintenance costs? Sure, if the system is old, the wires corroded and shorting out, then I can see getting rid of it. But if it still works........?

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz Maintenance costs? Sure, if the system is old, the wires corroded and shorting out, then I can see getting rid of it. But if it still works........?

I'm sure the costs are nearly the same whether there are 50 trains a day or 1. If it's there, it all has to work. Turn the system off, and all costs of maintaining the system are gone. All that's left for signal maintainers is crossing gates / equipment, which means less of them are needed. $$$$$$

[richardy]

It is my understanding from a friend at Cherokee Yard that the signals must remain in place for two years from the date removed from service then they can be removed from the right-of-way.

[AntonioFP45]

Guys,

Wasn't there an article recently about the upcoming technology in which signaling would be transmitted to locomotive's through the rails indicating block and switch position status? So there would no longer be a need for the traditional block signals. I may have misunderstood it.

[Anonymous]

Don't know about an article, but the signaling informations for lineside signals and cab signals already are transmitted through the rails in modern electrocode systems, in order to get rid of the code lines (the "telephone lines") at the side of the track. The new Positive Train Control systems will all be radio because it's more reliable. A broken rail would interrupt the signal. I think these new systems mostly still would include a track circuit for broken rail, unauthorized occupancy, and open-switch protection, too. No one has installed them on anything other than a test basis, yet.

O.S.

[AntonioFP45]

Thank you, O.S!

I had the Electrode and PTC systems mixed up. Much clearer now.

Cheers!