baltacd -- yes mother nature won again. my question is what has happened to the standby signal power systems that were in the AMTRAK budget and ARRA funds ?? These units were supposed to be installed at each signal location that would use 60 Hz commercial power that would be changed to 100 Hz that the signal system could use in the event if the signal power was lost.. the signal systeI now uses 4400 volt 100 Hz power lines installed on the CAT power poles . this 4400 volt comes from the 69K Kv that powers the CAT.
Mom Nature wins again. Surprise
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
once again the delays and signal shut downs ran into wedensday morning. here is MARC's announcement.
" A message to Penn Line passengers regarding delays Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning--We sincerely regret any inconvenience from the significantly delayed trains on the MARC Penn Line Tuesday evening and again Wednesday morning. MARC senior management is discussing these problems with Amtrak to determine what can be done to prevent such significant delays in the future and to improve on-board communication to our customers.As you know, around 3:30pm yesterday, a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the Washington, DC area that included two reported sightings of tornadoes in Prince George's County. The storm knocked the power out to the signals on the Penn Line. Much like signals on roads, these colored lights tell engineers if it is safe to proceed and at what speed. When these signals malfunction, trains must proceed no faster than 15 miles per hour, prepared to stop if the engineer sees another train or obstruction. This is a railroad industry standard practice to ensure passenger safety.The decision was made to dispatch trains from Union Station in order to get people moving towards home and, in the event the signal power had been restored, to resume normal speed operation faster.Passengers at Union Station were kept informed with numerous announcements inside the station and the MARC Operations Center sent E-alerts. In addition, the MTA Twitter feed (@mtamaryland) was being updated as the emails were sent. The signal problems on the Penn Line also affected Wednesday morning's service. That issue is now resolved. We are also investigating the mechanical failure on Train 407 Wednesday morning that resulted in a significant delay. Again, MARC senior management is addressing all of these issues with Amtrak. Once again, we regret the inconvenience you experienced and appreciate your patience given the violent nature of the weather and the problems it caused for MARC service "".
Now the Penn line signals are inop WASH - BAL. From latest MARC bulletin.
" Penn Line signals still out between Washington and Baltimore. Trains are moving exceedingly slowly. Penn Line trains are currently 40 to 175 minutes late. The next train out of Washington will be #548 at 9:00 pm. Next southbound train from Baltimore will be #453 at 9:15 pm. Train #452 will be late departing Washington due to the signal problems ".
wonder when the signal system will be more robust ?.
Once again the weather trips up AMTRAK'S signal system north of WASH. Here is the bulletin from MARC.
" Penn Line experiencing signal problems between Washington and West Baltimore. Expect delays. Details to follow ".
Anyone know if this segment is controlled by code line? The last time I noted the signal system it appeared that there was large cables between the various control bungalows and the signals bungalows them selves. Do not remember if there is code lines ?
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