Over the last few months I have noticed here in Oregon that UP is replacing all their signals as far as I can tell. All over the state there are zillions of new signal heads turned away from the rails. Is this a system wide upgrade? Is this part of PTC? A lot of money is going into infrastructure here, Anywhere else?
I am not aware of specific efforts in Oregon. This is happening in other places, and for UP and other railroad with PTC efforts.
NP Red (8-25):
Part I (of I-II)
The report about Oregon is timely. Thanks for your forum input, NP Red.
The 40% of the remaining part of Union Pacific’s Sunset Route (CA-TX) that remains to be two-tracked has old target, searchlight signals, such as the below photo taken at Dateland, AZ …
!(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset ca-texas/DSC04707.jpg)
… or at Gila Bend, AZ.
!(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset ca-texas/DSC04769.jpg)
But, as the Sunset Route is two-tracked, new color light signals are erected, as below east of Maricopa, AZ.
!(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset ca-texas/DSC04963.jpg)
The latest units have diode lights.
!(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/sunset ca-texas/DSC04913-M.jpg)
Continued in Part II
NP Red (8-25):
Part II (of I-II)
Even BNSF is erecting color lights, as on the eastern slope of Cajon Pass in Southern California. South of Frost:
In Hesperia:
Main 3 in Cajon Pass is finally getting them now.
While Summit had color light units for several years (since the triple-tracking of Cajon Pass), the below shown cantilever part is destined for erecting at Lugo, about six miles to the east (photo right) of Summit.
Positive Train Control (PTC) is believed to be behind much of what you, NP Red, reported. While much color lighting can be attributed to two- and three-tracking, obviously Oregon is NOT seeing much big track capacity increases, so PTC must be the reason for what you are seeing.
KP;
I realize that I am a little out of your normal area of interest, but it seems that BNSF has been doing a lot of signal upgrades around here in South Central Kansas .In the last couple of years.
On the Ark City Sub north to Wichita, and Agusta, on the Eldorado Sub down to Wellington,Ks. Their equipment yard ( at Wellington) is full of all kinds of old gear, and some new stuff. Most of the signal housing structures are new, (looks almost like stainless steel that they are constructed out of). There is one old set of target signals left on a three track iron signal bridge (by the old AT&SF station at Mulvane). Most every thing else has been modernized, even the crossing signals are equipped with LED lights.
I happened to run into a crew working on the signals in my town this morning and they confermed that UP is upgrading almost all their signal system. Towers, heads, cabling and even many equipment shacks. He said this was part of PTC and he didn’t think there was a chance to be finished by the deadline.