Clarification on EJ&E Towers

[BearClaw18]

In the August, 2006 issue of TRAINS, Sayre Kos' article on the EJ&E mentions the towers at Calumet Jct and Grassell Jct in Indiana. Calumet and Grasselli are actually IHB operations.

Ed Kaplan

[MP173]

Bear:

I pass by both towers frequently...I am not sure if the towers are J or Belt, but would be inclined to agree as there appears to be Belt trucks on the property from time to time.

The J does cross at each tower. 

Regardless of who operates the towers, they are great towers and I hope they remain manned for a long time.  Do you know why they are still open?  It would seem in today's technology, they wouldnt be needed.

Going to East Chicago tomorrow, if there are workers at Grasselli, I will inquire.

ed

[BearClaw18]

The IHB does want to convert Grasselli to a remotely-controlled interlocking plant. And they want the J to contribute in the upgrade. But the J does not want to participate.So for now, the IHB mans the tower for a few hours a day when ther is train activity.

 I don't know why Calumet is still a manually controlled junction.

Ed Kaplan