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Signal problems on CSX slowing passenger rail

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Signal problems on CSX slowing passenger rail
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 8:12 AM

The MARC Fredrick line had more signal delays mon jul 18 on the CSX portion again. Also on the MBTA Worchester line (System built by CSX; who is maintaining is a question?) another signal failure occurred. Again makes one wonder what if anything is causing the failures on CSX installed equipment?

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, July 21, 2011 10:25 AM

MARC : Wedensday Jul 20 CSX had another signal failure on Camden line and Brunswick line had another switch failure.  Heat related?

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, July 25, 2011 6:00 PM

Another failure Jul 25 on CSX worchester line Jul 25.  I realize that mBTA has purchased this line however all the signaling was installed by CSX. 

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:25 PM

Although it is unknown who built the signal system in wash Union Station there has been another signal failure there today [ tue ] this morning.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 6:53 PM

In hot weather the most frequent cause of signal trouble is failed insulated rail joints.  Between the expanded rail dimensions caused by the heat and the wear of rail against the insulated end posts that separate the various circuits, the end posts eventually fail and electrical contact is made where there should be none.  As a practical matter, insulated joints are only changed and renewed when they fail.  Bad Insulated joints are found by signal personnel but are replaced by track workers.

The second most frequent cause of signal trouble is broken bond wires causing a electrical circuit to end when it is expected to be continuous.  Bond wires connect rails into continuous electrical circuits.  These are normally discovered and replaced by signal personnel.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of other causes for signal troubles.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 4:08 PM

Failed signals on marc Brunswick line Friday and monday failure on marc Camden line at s. riverdale.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 3:16 PM

Just so no one thinks I am picking just on CSX the Capitol corridor has a signal failure today near Susisan.  Note  this is the only failure on that route iin the past 30 days.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:09 AM

blue streak 1

Just so no one thinks I am picking just on CSX the Capitol corridor has a signal failure today near Susisan.  Note  this is the only failure on that route iin the past 30 days.

Well I will eat my words: Capitol  corridor had a signal failure between Martinez - RICHMOND Tuesday continuing thru today at least to 9:00 Am.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, August 12, 2011 4:39 PM

Another SWITCH AND SIGNAL one ON  MARC today fri aug 12 on Camden line south of Riverdale

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:25 PM

Another switch and signal failure on Camden line south of murklick Friday afternoon aug 19th..

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Posted by aegrotatio on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:21 AM

My observations in this region, at least for commuter rail, are that the CSX routes of MARC and VRE are routinely delayed.  The Norfolk Southern routes are not.

One thing that speaks volumes is how each of these companies take care of their respective portions of ex-Conrail routes.  The comparison of the portions each company got from the Conrail breakup should not be a surprise to anyone.  CSX has a long way to go to reach anywhere close how NS takes care of its property.  It should not be this way.

 

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 3:45 AM

In all fairness CSX did not have a signal failure caused by Tuesday's earthquake. That would have really muddled the waters.

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, August 27, 2011 4:29 PM

Signal Suspension planned for this weekend on the Metropolitan sub has been cancelled by Irene.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, September 1, 2011 5:33 PM

Another signal failure Thursday Sep 1 on Camden line.

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Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, September 1, 2011 7:06 PM

Considering that there are 19 generators holding the system together account commercial power failures that have not been resolved since Irene's arrival on Saturday night - CSX is doing much better the BG&E or PEPCO and VEPCO.

blue streak 1

Another signal failure Thursday Sep 1 on Camden line.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, September 2, 2011 5:03 PM

BaltACD

Considering that there are 19 generators holding the system together account commercial power failures that have not been resolved since Irene's arrival on Saturday night - CSX is doing much better the BG&E or PEPCO and VEPCO.

 

Did not realize that there still is electric power problems.  So yesterday does not count. Let us know when all the signals have commercial power.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 10:15 PM

There have been no more signal failures on MARC or VRE since the hurricanes.

However CSX is still maintaining MBTA's BOS - WORC signaals .  There has been a signal failure on that line since Sun afternoon till at least Tue night. Delays any where from 15 - 75 minutes of delays including Amtrak's Lakeshore BOS section.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 7:18 AM

This from MARC bulletin Tuesday - another failure.

Brunswick: MARC 895 is operating 15-20 minutes late in the Germantown area due to signal problems west of Rockville.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, November 21, 2011 12:22 PM

Another failure on CSX MARC Monday morning.

Brunswick train 874 is operating 18-20 minutes late due to a signal problem west of Boyds station.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, November 21, 2011 12:22 PM

Another failure on CSX MARC Monday morning.

Copy of e-mail

Brunswick train 874 is operating 18-20 minutes late due to a signal problem west of Boyds station.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 6:52 PM
aAnd tuesday afternoon's MARC failure on CSX Camden line
Tr 855 (5:15p dpt BALT) will operate 15-20 mins late.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 6:17 PM
From:
Add sender to Contacts
To:
"Maryland MTA Alerts Subscriber"
Train 855 (5:15p dpt BALT) will operate 15-20 minutes late into College Park due to signal issue at Greenbelt
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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 6:57 PM

Tuesday had another failure on the VRE: Here is VRE's message.:

This Message is for Fredericksburg line Riders:

5:36pm - Train #305 (Departs Union Station at 4:10p) is currently 20 min. late due to CSX signal issues N. of Quantico

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, December 8, 2011 4:39 PM

Another failure on CSX MARC today  -  Thursday. Here is notice

Train 846 (4:13p dpt Union Station) is 13 mins late approaching Muirkirk due to signal problem west of Riverdale.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 2:36 AM

Another failure Monday

Brunswick Line train 870 (5:00 dpt Brunswick) operating 12-15 minutes late due to signal issues.

Monday, December 12, 2011 5:18 AM
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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, December 16, 2011 6:29 PM

Another signal problem Friday afternoon

Train 873 (3:35p dpt WASH) is operating approx 15 mins late approaching Point of Rocks due to signal problem west of Boyds.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 7:46 PM

another Tuesday morning       Here is e mail:

Camden Line trains running 20 to 30 minutes late this morning due to signal problem near Greenbelt.  Metro is honoring Camden tickets.

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 7:01 PM

and another failure wedensday afternoon on the Fredricksburg line :

Fredericksburg Line Advisory
Update 1 effective:456p
***************************************
#303 (Departs Union Station at 3:35p) operating approximately 25 minutes late and on the move at Rippon. No additional delays anticipated, but 305 approaching location where delays may occur.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fredericksburg Line Advisory
effective: 440p
***************************************
#303 (Departs Union Station at 3:35p) is stopped due to switch/signal problems north of Rippon approximately 15 minutes late. Train expected to depart shortly. Signal Maintainers enroute, but this may affect 305.


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Posted by aegrotatio on Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:37 PM

So, is CSX ready for PTC?  Or will PTC inadvertently make CSX better by replacing bad equipment they evidently refuse to maintain in a state of good repair?

 

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Signal failures in WASH area on CSX
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, December 30, 2011 1:14 AM

And another Thursday afteernoon:

Train 855 (5:15pm departure from Camden Yards) has been terminated at Savage due to freight train congestion and signal problems. Passengers will transfer to Train 857, which is currently approaching Dorsey

+ 1-----

Train 846 (4:13p dpt Union Station) is operating 25-30 mins late due signal problems near Greenbelt

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Posted by efftenxrfe on Friday, December 30, 2011 7:46 PM

A CSX PR person ardently wants to quell the descriptive "signal failure."

Signal failure, terrifyingly,  means an erroneous permission to move when danger or catastrophe is beyond the signal.

Any signal that slows, delays or stops some move 'cause of component malfunction, track circuit problem, protective device function screw-up, power failure, or burnt-out light bulb or...or....has not displayed a "false proceed" indication.

It has succeeded in properly authorizing train movement.

The Yellow (approach the next signal prepared to stop before any part .....) that  I  acted upon and found a train on my side of the next signal.....yes, I saw it and stopped without big-holing my train.....but, that was a signal failure.

Train delays described here,  I hope, are not my kind of signal failures but are those that can be diminished by adequate budgeting, allocations, training, supervision and....and..

 

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