Hope this link works you all. It made soda shoot out of my nose.
Lou
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/129113315767320131.jpg
Judging by the photo, there was some very clever planning done!
Since getting catenary power cut (to extend the catenary support bridge to the new pole at left) takes coordination (and time,) the tracklayers went ahead and put in the new (never ballasted) ties and rails, working right around the existing support pole.
Whenever the powers that be allow the necessary catenary support work, the old pole will be pulled, the track will be ballasted and the new line will be open for business.
I’ve seen photos where the new second track was built right around the base of an operating signal - which was then pulled in favor of two signal heads on a cantilever structure. Clean off the old signal base, slip the missing ties into place, secure the clips (concrete ties) and press on…
Sort of like chess. That move that didn’t seem to make sense makes very good sense when it leads to a quick checkmate.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
It would have been funnier (boy, did somebody goof!) if I’d looked at the photo before reading Chuck’s explanation.
Mark