Porter Junction rail project finally gets green light

[LakeATCS]

Well don't forget that CP 500 Nemo will actually be a single crossover. There will be a switching lead going thru the interlocking.

So you will need a couple extra bits for being a single crossover, plus extra stuff for the switching lead signals (like 485 has)

The standard single switch machine Lake has been installing is 24 bit. 40 isn't much bigger then that.

40 is definitely TOO SMALL for the switch filled 501 machine.

[justalurker66]

Well don't forget that CP 500 Nemo will actually be a single crossover. There will be a switching lead going thru the interlocking.

So you will need a couple extra bits for being a single crossover, plus extra stuff for the switching lead signals (like 485 has)

The standard single switch machine Lake has been installing is 24 bit. 40 isn't much bigger then that.

40 is definitely TOO SMALL for the switch filled 501 machine.

CP500: 1NWK, 1NRK, 3EGK, 3WGK, 4EGK, 4WGK, 3TK, 4TK, 1LZK, 3EXK, 3WXK, 3EAK, 3WAK, 4EAK, 4WAK = 15 bits before any of the switch heaters, open cabinet, light out and other indications. if 24 is too tight then go for 32?

CP498: 1NWK, 1NRK, 3EGK, 3WGK, 3TK, 1LZK, 3EXK, 3WXK, 3EAK, 3WAK, 4EAK = 11 bits. CP 483 is similar except it has OOS for all three connections to the switch (12 bits plus the misc stuff fits on a 24 bit machine).

CP 501: Way too large for 40 bits and getting bigger (add 10 bits to what is needed today).

[LakeATCS]

Well. If memory serves. The current machines have a software defined bit storage space. It's not like the old machines.... where it's fixed.

You buy one machine and just set the bit size to whatever you want.
I have seen a couple in test mode, later get installed have a bit size that is different.

There a few machines left out there that still run relays inside the case.. used to be if you wanted more space, you would add another bank of relays.

[justalurker66]

The last test address never changed indications ... so if it was a real test perhaps NS was testing reception or interference from that location. It was an odd time for any real testing.

(K24,K23,K22,K21,K38,K37,K36,K35,K33,K32,K31,K43,K42,K58,K56 from 12:41am to 7:41am CT 5/24)

[LakeATCS]

There are a number of reasons they use the test addresses.

One, it gives them a chance to get the RF side a dry run. Make sure the coax run is okay, it's connected to the antenna, and the adapter is properly connected to the radio.

Second, they can pull the logs off the office to see how the thing is talking to the BCPs

They can run bits in a machine without the RF side connected. But sometimes the two happen to concide.

From an RF side, 900mhz can be an "awfull cruel mistress". It's fickle and finicky. So making sure it's working right is a bug deal.

[LakeATCS]

same 27 test address was on today, broadcasting the same bit pattern.

Should be getting close to wrapping this puppy up. I imagine panel install at 501 will be soon.

[justalurker66]

Two pings. I wonder if NS will be able to sneak in the three switches without an announced outage (as they did for the one at CP 497).

(Only Track 1 east of 501 would need to be out of service to 497.)

Track 2 was out from 497 to 482 midday on Tuesday. I assume for regular maintenance.

[LakeATCS]

The only thing different about 501, is that it will require more then panels. The #3 track has to be extended eastward within the OS to clear the new switch to the new #3 track.

That is going to be cornfusing.

East to west you will go from 3 , 1 , 2 north to south, into 1 , 3 , 2 , 4 north to south.

I look for NS to do some track renumberings.

[justalurker66]

I like the 1-3-2-4 layout between 501 and 503 ... it leaves 1 and 2 as the through tracks (no diverging turnouts) from 509 to Ohio and beyond. A renumber would mean trains would go "2-3" at 503 or 501 without diverging.

I see your point about "3" being north of "1" to the east of 501 and south of "1" to the west of 501 ... but would rather not have the Pine and Millers sidings become track 1 (1-1 should not be a diverging route and having the non-diverging mains go 1-2-1-1-2-1 and 2-3-2-2-3-3 WB is too odd).

NS could use straight track panels within the interlocking. Straight panels were dropped in at CP 491 when it was removed (as well as at CP 415 last year).

I have not been above 501 for a few weeks ... I'll see if I can take a look this weekend. The Amtrak siding should be nearing completion as well.

[LakeATCS]

Well maybe you call the new track between 501 and 497 5 track or something. Less cornfusing.

Anyway took a while to get these but here they are.

New Controlled Point CP 497 at MP CD 497.1
A new #7 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 497.1,
for Eastward movements from the Main 2 Track to the Main 1
Track. The crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H,
dual-control, power operated switch machines.

A new #5 power switch has been installed at MP CD 497.1, for
Westward movements from the Main 2 Track to the CSX Track.
The switch is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machine.

A new #3 power switch has been installed at MP CD 497.2, for
Westward movements from the Main 1 Track to the Pine Siding Track.
The switch is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machine.

A new #1 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 497.3, for
Eastward movements from the Main 1 Track to the Main 2 Track. The
crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machines.

A new Eastward 2E Home Signal located over and to the right of
the Pine Siding Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 497.3

A new Eastward 4E Home Signal located over and to the right of the
Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 497.3.

A new Eastward 6EA Home Signal located over and to the right of
the Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 497.3.

A new Eastward 6ED Home Signal located to the left of the CSX
Track on a High Signal mast at MP CD 497.2.

A new Westward 2W Home Signal located over and to the right of
the Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 497.1.

A new Westward 6W Home Signal located over and to the right of
the Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 497.1

Be governed accordingly

[LakeATCS]

Retire the existing Signals at 4921W, 4921E, 4922W, and
4922E in its entirety located at MP CD 492.9
Retire the existing Signals at 4951W, 4951E, 4952W, and
4592E in its entirety located at MP CD 495.3


New Controlled Point CP 492 at MP CD 492.4

A new #5 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 492.3,
for Eastward movements from the Main 2 Track to the Main 1 Track.
The crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machines.

A new #3 power switch has been installed at MP CD 492.3, for
Eastward movements from the Main 1 Track to the Millers Siding
Track. The switch is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control,
power operated switch machine.

A new #1 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 492.4,
for Eastward movements from the Main 1 Track to the Main 2 Track.
The crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machines.

A new Eastward 2E Home Signal located over and to the right of
the Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 492.5.

A new Eastward 6E Home Signal located over and to the right
of the Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 492.5.

A new Westward 2W Home Signal located over and to the
right of the Millers Siding Track on a cantilever mast at
MP CD 492.2.

A new Westward 4W Home Signal located over and to the
right of the Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 492.2.

A new Westward 6W Home Signal located to the left of the
Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 492.2.

[LakeATCS]

New Controlled Point CP 494 at MP CD 494.9

A new #5 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 494.7,
for Eastward movements from the Main 2 Track to the Main 1 Track.
The crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machines.

A new #3 power crossover has been installed at MP CD 494.8,
for Eastward movements from the Main 1 Track to the Main 2 Track.
The crossover is equipped with GRS Model 5H, dual-control, power
operated switch machines.

A new #1 power switch with power derail has been installed at
MP CD 494.8, for Westward movements from the Main 1 Track to the
Roll and Hold Track. The switch is equipped with GRS Model 5H,
dual-control, power operated switch machine.

A new Eastward 2EA Home Signal located over and to the right
of the Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 494.9

A new Eastward 4E Home Signal located over and to the right
of the Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 494.9.

A new Eastward 2ED Home Signal located to the right of
the Roll and Hold Track on a High signal mast at MP CD 494.9.

A new Westward 2W Home Signal located over and to the right
of the Main 1 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 494.7.

A new Westward 4W Home Signal located over and to the right
of the Main 2 Track on a cantilever mast at MP CD 494.7.

Signaled Siding rules will be in effect for Millers Siding
between CP490 and CP492


Be governed accordingly

[justalurker66]

Thank you for sharing.

[tttodisp]

Thanks. Good to know that they are retaining the "Siding" designations (for now).

[justalurker66]

One could call it "Track 0" the way Amtrak has the north side of the platform labeled at Whiting.

Whiting Track 0 (Location 1)

Platform Sign (Location 5)

(However NS calls the platform track "Track 1" not "Track 2" as Amtrak has it signed.)

[justalurker66]

The cantilever is up at future CP 498 ... covering all three tracks (EB siding plus new intermediates in both directions on the mains).

Ties have been laid to the east of the WB existing signals at 501. Ribbons of new rail are next to track 1. Switch heaters have been installed at most if not all existing switches. The new left hand switch that will connect 1-3 WB remains uninstalled off to the north side of the tracks. (The new left had switch that will connect 1-siding EB is not visible from the casino parking bridge ... likely it is under the bridge.)

The Amtrak siding remains under construction. I caught an eastbound calling "CP 239 clear and CP238 clear" this afternoon. And later a westbound complaining about getting an approach at CP231 (the NICTD crossing at 10th St was at Stop). Although the Amtrak was running 40 minutes late and a NICTD passenger train passed through within minutes of Amtrak clearing the crossing.

[tttodisp]

I heard from a reliable source that NS will be installing the two additional crossovers at CP 501 on Monday, along with insulated joints at CP 501 and CP 502. There should be single tracking through the area starting by 0800 and lasting up to 12 hours.

[justalurker66]

Here are a couple of snapshots taken today at CP498 and CP501.

I wonder when the new CP501 will be activated? The WB Track 1 signal seems to be in the way of the new siding. I do not expect it to be tomorrow, but I suspect that they will need to activate the new signals so they can get the old signals out of the way of construction.

I missed looking explicitly at the CP501 EB signal. I do not believe the new bridge has been put up but cannot be sure.

[LakeATCS]

One would think that 501 would reuse the address like 497 did.

75508800270202 is probably 498 Pine or 500 Nemo as it's only 40 bits.

BTW, Nemo is the name of the tower that used to sit at MP 500. it used to be where the NYC went from 2 to 4 tracks. When they connected the PRR to 501 at Buffington, they cut back the four tracks to there.

Update. I just noticed that 75508800270202 is coming thru a server in Ohio now. 40 bits. Wonder if it's not something someone programed in Elkart and sent out to the field to be installed.

[LakeATCS]

You know, I have to wonder about the NS dispatching sometimes.....
I keep seeing the slower speed crossover being used at 487. In the latest case, it was Amtrak 30.

In any case, it looks like the new stuff at 494 to 490 is being used however. There is a train lined into Millers Siding now, and I saw 494 being used for crossover moves.
They had something stopped on #2 between 497 and 494, and they were able to put eastbounds over to 2 at 494.

Ohh wow talk about rare lineups. Someone fired up the signal out of Porter Yard...