Terre Haute - train meca has become a gaint "Y" for CSX

[robscaboose]

[:p][:p][:p][:p]Had our monthly board meeting for Haley Tower this past evening & 13 trains passed the tower between 1800 & 2100 hrs. It was hard to attend to business as no sooner than one train passed then the approach signal would light up again. I don't know when I've seen so many "lunar white" signals.

A waiting CSX engineer told us that Terre Haute should expect 25 more trains per day as CSX by passes NO. They are running trains up to St. Louis, Effingham, to Terre Haute, then running their power around the train & then heading south to Evansville, Nashville & on to Atlanta. Westbounds reverse the process.

Rob

[MP173]

Rob:

When is the tower open?

That is a great job you guys have done on that. Is the other tower in TH still standing?

ed

[robscaboose]

Thanks

Haley Tower is open every Sat & Sunday from 11 - 3PM May - Nov.

Springhill Tower which guarded the South entrance to TH was moved several years ago to our site several years ago. It had to be cut in half & then had the roof removed before it could be moved to our site. Then we had to put it back together. Springhill still needs alot of work to get it like it was when it was inservice.

We are on the North side of TH not to far from Union Hospital. If you use a City tourism map you'll never find us, as they put us on the wrong spot on the map.

Rob

[MP173]

I assume from the first post that you are near the original site, based on the train activity. I was there a few years ago, and could probably find it again.

Is CSX running any of the re-routes via Flora to Vincennes on the old B&O?

I would assume so, but the capacity on that line is limited.

ed

[doghouse]

Will be overnighting in Terre Haute in late Sept. Comming through on 70, or is it 74?, Not sure. Anyway, can you recommend a good hotel that accepts dogs? Also, some easy to get to train watching spots? Restraunts? Sights?

[robscaboose]

Haley Tower is about 40 feet from it's orginal location. Orginally the NE corner of the tower was so close to the tracks that a man not stand there for the very real possibility of getting hit by a passing railcar.

It is I-70. I don't know if any motels accept dogs. will try to check.

Rob

[doghouse]

Thanks, Rob.

[robscaboose]

Haley Tower is the best spot in Terre Haute as both N/S & E/W trains cross at Haley. The other good spot is south of TH near the site of Springhill Tower.

Of the 2, Haley is the better choice & is easier to find.

To find Haley from I-70 go North on Rt 41 past the Vigo County Court House, over the RR viaduct. (several miles) to I believe (8th Av ?). On the right hand side of the road will be a blue Hospital sign. Union Hospital has a lighted message sign on the corner. Turn Rt & go East past the Hospital to you almost reach the tracks (graffitti oryster bar - blue building on the left). At the stop light turn left & go 1/2 block. Turn Rt on Plum Street & ther you are.

Rob

[Anonymous]

Ed,

The answer to your question is yes. There are reroutes also running down the B&O as well. The reroutes are really hampering operations for both RR's. There are more trains having to be tied down due to hours of service as we have to hold trains out up to 30 miles away in order to make meets. The reroutes that go through Terre Haute have to be run around, usually on the old CR side because they are too long to fit at Dewey Siding, just north of Haley on the CE&D sub. The stretch from St. Louis to Indianapolis is what I dispatch, and let me tell you, it's been very hectic since the reroutes have come!!!!

[MP173]

Nate:

Nothing like getting thrown into the fire on your job!

How are you handling these movements? Are the crews coming out of STL qualified to turn the corner at TH? I would think that would be an unusual movement. However, those same crews probably run out of Indy, so an Indy to Evansville movement is probably routine.

What is the breakdown of "normal trains" out of Indy?

I realize there are trains turning at TH, Effingham, and St. Elmo.

How many trains are routinely running in/out of Indy, with turns? I would guess you turn 1 each way at Effingham (just a guess), but have no idea for TH and St.Elmo.

I grew up near Effingham and spent time in the 70's there. In fact I was looking at my old Penn Central pictures today and came across a couple of trainmen taking orders from the stands. Those were the days!

ed

[Anonymous]

Ed,

I'm so mad, but I accidentally deleted about a 1,000 word description of every train that works my territory. I had all your questions answered too! [xx(] I'll restart, but I'm only go to answer a few questions for now.

At St. Elmo we control the UP movements. There is the single main, south controlled siding, and north controlled siding. It is a handy place to make train meets and it's also where I give the UP trains, and where I get trains from the UP. Sometimes the UP dispatcher will call me and ask to make a meet with two of his trains. The trains that come off the UP to Indy are: Q132 auto parts from Mexico to Detroit (Blue Stack train), Q374 (QNLIN on the UP) a freight that goes to Indy. Q234 (AARIN on the UP) works Effingham and picks up Indy bound cars delivered by the CN/IC. We give the Q107 (split off the Q111, and a VERY HOT TRAIN) Q131 (reverse of the q132), Q395 and Q377. If the Q107 is late, the UP will refuse it and we have to take the train to STL where the contrainers and trailers are then trucked to Dallas.
Well that's all the typing I have left in me now, more to come later. [C):-)]

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not I am from Terre Haute. However, I live in Houston,TX, I model HO scale trians. I grew up way out north of town and had a grandma that lived of of College St and the rail traffic through Terre Haute was very I as remember. I guess that is were I developed my love for trains when I was a boy I would take my Dad his lunch at the old Coke Plant on Hulman St. From time to time his budy who was an engineer on for the Milwakee RR would let me get up into the cab of one those old dirty diesels they used to switch the coal cars at hte plant. I was hooked. I still don't know why I never became a train engineer.

[Anonymous]

Hello all,
I am confused....this tower everyone keeps talking about sounds like it used to belong to the RR but doesn't anymore? From what I'm reading, it's some sort of railfan group? And does it have a CTC board to let visitors know when a train is coming? AMAZING!!! I am from New Orleans, so blame me for all the CSXT reroutes......but we did handle a lot of traffic on that Gulf Coast route. I am employed by CSXT formerly at NO now at Memphis at CSX Intermodal. Just as info, CSXI has been wonderful, placing me temporarily here, and the folks in Memphis have been equally nice to us hurricane refugees (?). Been reading posts (now I have time) and all interesting!!! Keep up the good work, y'all. New Orleans will come back!!! Regards!

[Anonymous]

In 1984, a very "wise" friend advised me that Effingham IL and Terre Haute IN would be great places to photograph a LOT of trains. When I stopped in Effinhgam to shoot Conrail and ICG, a group of Conrail employees showed up and, between the jokes about the PRR and NYC I managed to learn about Haley Tower and how to get there and what to expect there. WOW! The volume of trains, at that time Conrail, Milwaukee Road and Seaboard was incredible. I made trips back to Haley Tower in 85, 86, 87 and my last stop there was in 89 by which time, the rail scene had already changed a lot. Will treasure those slides of Seaboard trains zipping by, the Conrail train shot just after sunrise, and other shots for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Rob mentions a "lunar white" signal; what is this/what does it mean?

[Anonymous]

A Lunar aspect indicates that the crew is to proceed at restricted speed. For a definition of restricted speed do a search in the forums.

[robscaboose]

Haley Tower is basically closed for the winter, However we do have regularly scheduled work days each month. & whenever one of us has the urge to hang out at the tower. Visitors are welcome. Nov 12th is our next scheduled work day. We are working to get a PRR caboose moved to the museum. I think the plan for the 12th is to winterize the caboosee which is off site. See you in the spring.

Rob

[Anonymous]

Caboose?.....the one at Dobbs Park?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gformanek

Rob mentions a "lunar white" signal; what is this/what does it mean?

m I have been informed that lunar white is sort of a light lavender tint to a white light ellement>>>>>[:)] glennbob[:)]

[robscaboose]

Brett

Yes the one in Dobbs Park.......

[robscaboose]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a Lunar White signal means that you can proceed, but you must be able to stop in 1/2 of your line of vision. Usally 20 mph or less.

I believe that the train ahead of you has not yet cleared the block.

Rob