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Cab signal question / UP / Across Iowa.

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  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: US
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Cab signal question / UP / Across Iowa.
Posted by Bob-Fryml on Monday, January 22, 2007 7:13 PM

During calendar year 2007, Union Pacific plans to install C.T.C. along The Overland Route all across Iowa. 

1st QUESTION:  Along with the C.T.C. is Union Pacific installing wayside block signals, both intermediates and controlled signals?

2nd QUESTION:  As segments of C.T.C. are cut over, is the C.& N.W. Automatic Train Control system being retired?

3rd QUESTION:  Is Union Pacific installing its Coded Cab Signal system to supplement the new C.T.C. installation?

4th QUESTION:  There probably are some places where the Iowa east-west mainline encounters a railroad crossing at grade.  Along with extending C.T.C. is U.P. also replacing any automatic interlockings with manual interlockings under the control of the Harriman Dispatching Center?      

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,898 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Monday, January 22, 2007 7:45 PM
 Bob-Fryml wrote:

During calendar year 2007, Union Pacific plans to install C.T.C. along The Overland Route all across Iowa. 

1st QUESTION:  Along with the C.T.C. is Union Pacific installing wayside block signals, both intermediates and controlled signals?

2nd QUESTION:  As segments of C.T.C. are cut over, is the C.& N.W. Automatic Train Control system being retired?

3rd QUESTION:  Is Union Pacific installing its Coded Cab Signal system to supplement the new C.T.C. installation?

4th QUESTION:  There probably are some places where the Iowa east-west mainline encounters a railroad crossing at grade.  Along with extending C.T.C. is U.P. also replacing any automatic interlockings with manual interlockings under the control of the Harriman Dispatching Center?      

 1.  Yes, wayside signals are installed with CTC.  The UP has installed intermediates, as well as the Absolute signals.  There is a stretch of CTC between Marshalltown and Nevada (KC Jct, junction with the spine) that does not have intermediate wayside signals.  This was from the CNW installation of CTC. They have absolute waysides at the actual crossover control points with one wayside approach signal for each direction at each controlled crossover. Example, CPA 170, Clear Creek. The westbound approach signals are at MP167.3 (eastward no signal). The eastbound approach signals are at MP172.8 (westward no signal).  The approach signal lets you know what's going to happen at the control point.  Clear on the approach, going to proceed past the CP on the track your on.  Approach, going to stop at the CP.  Approach Diverging, going to crossover at the CP.

2/3.  Automatic Train Control is retained.   CCS is not replacing ATC.

4.  Actually there are no places in Iowa where the UP crosses anyone at grade on the East/West main line.  There used to be many places where this happened that had interlocking towers.  Now there all gone.  The only thing close is the IC&E at Clinton.  This however is no longer a diamond crossing but handled thru the use of crossovers.  It is controlled by the UP dispatcher, but is part of the CTC, not considered a manual interlocking. 

 Jeff    

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