CTA speed limit on 90 degree curves.

[NP Eddie]

ALL:

What is the speed limit on the various 90 degree curves at Sheridan and at Tower 18? Does CTA publish employee timetables for the various lines available to the railfan community? Is the Central Electric Railfans Associations the group to contact about CTA and Metra Electric operations.

Ed Burns

Happily retired NP-BN-BNSF Clerk from Northtown

763-234-9306 cell

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I don't believe that CTA issues employee timetables as such for the Rapid Transit Division.  The tight-radius curves such as on the Loop L and other locations are posted to 15 MPH by trackside signs.  Other curves and other restricted areas are posted as appropriate.  There are also trackside signs after the restricted area, such as "4 Clear" and "8 Clear" to indicate when a train of that length has cleared the restriction.

[daveklepper]

I once new the answer to my question.   Does the CTA signal system enforce such speed restrictions?  The old NYCTA system does.  The operator or engineer sees a yellow over white indication ahead at about the same time as seing the speed restriction sign.  If he slows down he will seen that indicaion change to green just as he passes it.  Subsequent signals will behave similary (might only be one if the speed restriction applies to a short length of track) unitl the green resume speed sign is passed.   If he fails to reduce speed, instead of changing to green, the signal will change to red a trip-hammer arm will rise to put the train into emergency braking.

Does Chicago have a similar system.  It is 100-year-old technology. 

[daveklepper]

"new" should be "knew."    Stil lack the edit button.

[Electroliner 1935]

daveklepper

Does the CTA signal system enforce such speed restrictions? 

Simple answer. YES. The CTA signal system which is a cab signal type drops to a 15 mph speed indication, beeps and will enforce that speed if action is not taken. Whether some curves can be taken at 15 is another question. The last major accident was in 1977 when one train Northbound on Wabash crawled around the curve at Lake and didn't stop and hit a stopped train. Motorman ( thought to be on Marijuana)  did not shut off controller and the power pushed the trains cars (opposite of stringlining) off the track with one car dropping off the structure. Eleven passengers Died. 

Detials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977_Chicago_Loop_derailment

[SD70Dude]

http://railpictures.net/photo/644599/