I noted recently, here on the east / west CSX double track line new signals are being installed. Two units, side by side, on each track…They are now turned sidways until they are ready to be put to use.
Currently there is just one signal at that location, and another one a short distance away on the other track…I’m wondering if this new installation is some kind of improvement to allow running on the “wrong” main…etc…
CSX has been doing some quick & dirty revamping of what has been Rule 251-252 Current of Traffic signaled areas into TCS bi-directional signaling. From a Dispatchers viewpoint it is of limited benefit, as they are not creating any new control points in the 20-30-40 mile segments that are being revamped. Without intermediate control points one is still committed to having trains deal with the length of track between existing control points and base meet/pass decisions upon traversing the entire 20-30-40 mile segment.
What such signalling does buy is track occupancy lights for the length of the segment and it can aid in locating signal problems and broken rails.
They have been installed rather quickly, as all of a sudden, they were there. It’s right along a route in Muncie, and we travel quite often, and it kind of surprised me.
And I have seen trains running on the “wrong” main here in the past. But any “new” stuff on the line is ok as that means they must cast the line as important. Thanks for your info.
Alot of signals have been replaced on the CSX lately.
CSX has been replacing other signals on the B-Line in Indiana lately. Supposedly the signal logic was upgraded to handle 261 several years ago, but the line-side signals were not upgraded until now. Don’t know if this is true and if it is, why. It might make more sense if they were actually installing a few more cross-overs to maximize the benefit of bi-directional running.
Not to be overlooked, CSX as are all the carriers are actively working to be able to comply with the PTC implementation deadlines.