RailRoadFan.com

Does anyone know the track speed through Chesterton. Looks like 60.

hoborich wrote:Does anyone know the track speed through Chesterton. Looks like 60.

60 TV, 50 Freight 70 or 79 Passenger depending on the milepost.

justalurker66 wrote:

hoborich wrote:Does anyone know the track speed through Chesterton. Looks like 60.

60 TV, 50 Freight 70 or 79 Passenger depending on the milepost.

50 Freight, 60 TV and 79 Passenger, as noted, except where track geometry dictates otherwise!

Unless otherwise restricted by signals for crossover moves at 481 or 479.

LakeATCS wrote:Unless otherwise restricted by signals for crossover moves at 481 or 479.

I believe you mean 482, and I would add 485 as well!

Hmmm, thanks. I notice most of the eastbounds are flying through Chesterton. Many of the westbounds approach slowly through Chesterton, and seem to accelerate as they go through. I figured there was some signals or crossovers west of the camera location.

482 would be immediately to the west of the cameras. Trains taking the Porter Branch would need to slow for the curve. I do not know the crossover speeds between track 1 and 2.

479 to the east is new and has limited speed crossovers. The crossovers are not heavily used so an eastbound can easily go maximum speed all the way to LaPorte.
485 to the west of 482 was rebuilt with limited speed crossovers. Being miles beyond 482 I doubt it has much affect on most trains at Chesterton. A train entering the yard at 485 might be affected.

I believe the biggest effect on Westbound trains is congestion. 482 and west is a busy section of track. While an eastbound at Chesterton generally has a clear path a westbound is more likely headed toward congestion.

482 crossovers are medium speed crossovers good for 30 mph. CSX connection is 25 mph. I believe the Amtrak MI Line is 15 mph? Porter Branch connection is similarly slow IIRC.

Justalurker, you’re correct except you typoed, CP 479 is EAST of Chesterton and Cp 485 is WEST thereof.

I only mention 485 as trains are usually just finding track speed after EB crossover moves and will be slowing for WB moves. More extreme are trains into or out of Burns Harbor.

I have corrected the directions.

Barring other traffic, wouldn't a westbound crossing at 485 get a clear at 482 and an approach medium at the intermediate/483?
Trains going to the yard would get an approach at the intermediate/483, advance approach at 482?

Thanks for all the info. Clears up a lot of things. I just watch the Chesterton camera from time to time. Never been there, but it's on my list. A lot of trains by there, mostly at night.

justalurker66 wrote:I have corrected the directions.

Barring other traffic, wouldn't a westbound crossing at 485 get a clear at 482 and an approach medium at the intermediate/483?
Trains going to the yard would get an approach at the intermediate/483, advance approach at 482?

Right. Those trains will start slowing down when they see the approach, especially with PTC today. They know its coming so in my experience (a whole four rides but still) the crews basically start coasting before they even get to the approach and then begin slowing for sure by then, depending on the speed required by the signal.

Recall that an approach requires dropping to 30 might right away, and they know they're heading for restricted speed. Doesn't mean they drop a lot at Porter but by the rear they may be only moving 30-40 mph despite taking full speed signals at Porter.