Sorry, no pictures here, but yesterday on my way to St. Louis from CHicago I noticed that the old color position light (CPL) signals were removed north of Bloomington.
South of Bloomington the signals were still in use, but the new signals were in place, but turned sideways, meaning they are not yet in service.
Now, the interesting thing was the size of the new signals. From I55 it was hard to size them up, but I swear the entire signal post was not much more than 8 feet tall, maybe even smaller.
Why would the signal posts be that small? What determines the height of the signal? I always thought the signals were placed to maximize site lines for the crew members.
I have pics of some of these instaltions and if you want them I can send them to you. The PTC that UP is using is being expanded south of Blooomingtom (i believe) and the old CPLs are getting old and ragged looking. I didnt notice the new signals being TOO much shorter than the old signals. The UP put in some teporary type G head signals but will be replacing these with their standard mast. Real shame those CPLs are being relpaced, its the UP-ifacation of another fallen flag. Long live the rock!!!
The CPL’s were installed when the Chicago & Alton Railroad was a subsidary of the Baltimore & Ohio. The B&O was the inventor of the Color Position Light signals. CSX is also replacing the CPL’s on it’s property. Much the shame!